WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University Men's and Women's Track and Field Teams began their 2024 outdoor season at the 28^th Annual Monmouth Spring Opener ag Kessler Stadium on Friday and Saturday.
 
The Hawks kicked off the home meet with back-to-back wins in the 3000m steeplechase. Freshman Erin Vincent posted an impressive 11:40.51 in her first-ever outdoor collegiate race, claiming first place and the eighth-fastest time in program history. James Martinez followed with a victory in the men's event with a time of 9:40.47.

David Strong, A.J. Brooks, Gareth Lewis Jr., and James Burrus Jr. combined for a first-place finish in the men's 4x100m relay at 42.14 seconds. Strong was also a member of MU's winning squad in the final event of the day – the 4x400m relay – as he teamed up with Aiden Baldelli, Will Freeman Jr., and Matthew Iuvara for a time of 3:18.77. Individually, Brooks recorded a first-place mark of 14.90 in the men's 110m hurdles.
 
Madison Latimer won the women's 400m by crossing the finish line at 58.27 seconds, while junior Yasmeen Tinsley started off her outdoor season with a bang by tying the school record with a 200m time of 24.26 seconds. Brianna Rubio also ran a strong 200, as she now ranks eighth all-time at Monmouth with a PR time of 24.85.

For field events, Blake Wehr highlighted the Hawks in jumps with a win in the high jump at 1.95m. Abby Boggs and Connor Bennett each recorded a third-place mark in the pole vault with clearances of 3.45m and 4.80m, respectively. Vanessa Wood won the women's shot put with a throw of 13.94m as she paced a clean sweep on the podium for Monmouth. Julie Thomas (13.23m) placed second, and Natalie Rolon-Issa (12.80m) came in third, while Wood's mark now ranks tied for fourth at Monmouth all-time.

To round out, Chris Bagnell and Taylor Boorse put up identical throws of 61.68m in the men's javelin to place first and second.

Celebrating Senior Day and Alumni Day, Monmouth registered 32 total marks inside the top-5 of all individual events.
 
EVENT WINNERS
Men's 110mH: A.J. Brooks – 14.90
Women's 400m: Madison Latimer – 58.27
Men's 3000m Steeplechase: James Martinez – 9:40.47
Women's 3000m Steeplechase: Erin Vincent – 11:40.51
Men's 4x100m Relay: Strong, Brooks, Lewis Jr., Burrus Jr. – 42.14
Men's 4x400m Relay: Strong, Baldelli, Freeman Jr., Iuvara – 3:18.77
Men's High Jump: Blake Wehr – 1.95m
Men's Javelin: Chris Bagnell – 61.68m
Women's Shot Put: Vanessa Wood – 13.94m

ALL-TIME TOP-TENS
Women's 200m: Yasmeen Tinsley – 24.26, TIED-SCHOOL RECORD
Women's 200m: Brianna Rubio – 24.85, eighth
Women's 3000m Steeplechase: Erin Vincent – 11:40.51, eighth
Women's Shot Put: Vanessa Wood – 13.94m, tied-fourth
 
QUOTES
"I want to thank all of those that made today possible. It takes an army to put on a 20-team track and field meet, and all of our support staff did a terrific job. I am thankful for their efforts! Also, thank you to all the alums and parents that came out today. We couldn't do what you do without your support!

Our student-athletes performed admirably today. This meet serves as a rust-buster for us, but many athletes look to already be in mid-season form. We'll keep this positive momentum rolling as we compete at UPenn next week. Fly Hawks!" – Head Coach Mike Nelson
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks are back on the track in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6, at the Big 5 and Friends Invitational hosted by UPenn.