Sophomore Maliq Brock ran in the 4×400 meter relay race at Tiffin University. Courtesy | David Beach

The Charger men’s track team competed in two different meets this past weekend: the Bucknell Bison Outdoor Invitational in Pennsylvania and the Tiffin Carnival in Ohio.

Two Charger athletes hit provisional marks over the weekend. Sophomore Richie Johnston hit his personal best in the 3000m steeplechase event for the first outdoor provisional mark of his career at 9:08.51, which was good enough for seventh place.

“I was really happy to have hit a provo mark, as well as hit a big PR,” Johnston said. “I’m now very excited for the rest of the season, especially considering how close G-MACs are. I believe we are trending upwards as a program, so the postseason is going to be interesting.”

Also competing in the steeplechase at Bucknell were junior Alex Mitchell and senior Isaac Waffle, who both hit personal bests in the event. Mitchell finished 16th overall at 9:18.77, while Waffle finished 29th at 9:31.37.

Senior Mark Sprague also hit a personal best at Bucknell in the 5000m race, finishing 72nd overall with a time of 14:51.60. The Chargers also had multiple athletes compete in the 800m race at Bucknell. Freshman Seth Jankowski was the first Charger to finish at 1:54.34, which was good for 48th overall, followed by senior Sean Hoeft in 60th overall at 1:54.81.

Another athlete hitting a provisional mark over the weekend was sophomore Ben Haas, who competed in the hammer throw and shot put events. Haas won both events, hitting provisional marks in both with a 16.58m throw in shot put, and a 58.05m mark in hammer throw.

The Chargers had a big return from junior Sean Fagan, who finished second overall in the 400m hurdles after being injured for the entire indoor season.

“After all the work I’ve put in the last few months rehabbing my hamstring, running at full strength and speed was a huge relief,” Fagan said. “As for the results, right now it’s not good enough, but it definitely gives me confidence in my fitness levels going into the rest of the season.”

Freshmen Connor McCormick and Colsen Conway also competed in the 400m hurdles event. Conway finished eighth at the 55.45 mark, while McCormick finished 17th at the 59.08 mark.

Conway also competed in the 110m hurdles, finishing ninth with a personal best of 15.31. Senior John Baldwin and sophomore Cass Dobrowolski finished tenth and 12th, respectively, in the event as well.

“Tiffin was another good test for the team,” Dobrowolski said. “It brought more excitement for our last few competitions of the outdoor season.”

The Chargers will travel to Grand Valley State University this weekend to compete in the Al Owens Classic, and then will head to Canton, Ohio, for the Walsh University Tune-Up Meet April 27.