ROCHESTER, N.Y and ITHACA, N.Y. – Josh Jeffes (Scotia/Scotia-Glenville) and Evan Jensen (Red Hook) each posted top-six national times in the 400-meter dash as Cortland competed Saturday at the Cornell University Marc Deneault Invitational. Cortland also sent throwers to compete Friday at the Nazareth Conference Tune-Up.
 
Cornell Highlights:
 
Jeffes won the 400-meter dash at Cornell in 48.05 seconds and Jensen was third in 48.45 seconds. Both are All-Atlantic Region Track and FIeld Conference (AARTFC) qualifiers. Jeffes ranks fourth nationally in Division III with his effort and Jensen is tied for sixth nationally. Zion Cheatham (Lockport) placed fourth in the event in 49.45 seconds, also an AARTFC mark.
 
Matthew Schaffert (Lockport) finished first of 26 in the 60-meter dash in 6.91 seconds and LeBron Richardson (Pelham/Pelham Memorial) was fourth in 6.98 seconds (6.96 prelims). Both are AARTFC qualifiers. Deontae Bennett (Riverdale, GA/Greenwich (NY)) finished sixth in 7.03 seconds.
 
Matthew Mullen (Medford/Williams Floyd) also hit an AARTFC mark with his fifth-place time of 1:57.36 in the 800 meters. Mike Alvarez (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) was 10th in 2:03.26.
 
The 4x400-meter relay team of Nick Schaffer (Pompton Lakes, NJ), Declan Kennedy (Lakewood/Southwestern), Lenny Diaz (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) and Brandon Root (Merrick/John F. Kennedy) was victorious in 3:31.74. Diaz also finished second in the 600 meters (1:25.61) and Hector Ramos (Evans Mills/Indian River) placed third (1:26.92). In the 200-meter dash, Harrison Gavalas (Southampton) was second of 27 runners in 22.59 seconds. Daniel Cruz (Bronx/Saint Raymond for Boys) finished sixth (23.05) and Marcello Mastrocco (West Islip) placed eighth (23.08).
 
Taiog Cypher (Irvington) finished third in the high jump (1.86 meters/6' 1.25") and Vegas Petersen (Bardonia/Clarkstown South) tied for fifth in the pole vault (3.65 meters/11' 11.75"). Cortland earned three top-10 finishes in the triple jump with Brady Melious (Tribes Hill/Fonda-Fultonville) sixth (13.04 meters/42' 9.5"), Gavin Franco (East Islip) seventh (12.84 meters/42' 1.5") and Hayden Erick (Dundee) ninth (12.58 meters/41' 3.25").
 
Sean Keane (Riverhead) finished sixth (14.51 meters/47' 7.25") and Ramel Radcliff (Syracuse/Henninger) was eighth (14.43 meters/47' 4.25") in the weight throw. Jason Zaita (Selden/Centereach) finished ninth in the shot put (13.28 meters/43' 7") and Jordan Wingert (Verona/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) placed 12th in the mile run (4:34.04).
 
Nazareth Highlights:
 
Isaiah Brunache (Bennington, VT/Mount Anthony Union) won the shot put in a field of 35 competitors at Nazreth with a toss of 17.47 meters (57' 3.75"), an AARTFC mark. Evan Collette (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) was fifth at 14.18 meters (45' 6.25").
 
In the weight throw, Collette finished third of 38 (17.88 meters/58' 8") and Brunache was fourth (17.16 meters/56' 3.75"), both with AARTFC qualifiers. Lucas Chamerberlain (Copake/Taconic Hills) finished 11th in the weight throw (14.24 meters/46' 8.75").

Coach's Corner - Comments from Cortland Head Coach Steve Patrick:

First, throws coach Mitch Makowski has a few thoughts to share from the Nazareth Conference Tune-Up from Friday:
 
Sophomore Evan Collette led the group with a passive new personal record in the weight throw, moving him up to #3 all-time at SUNY Cortland! On the women's side, sophomore Cheyenne McPeek threw her farthest shot ever at Cortland (and the second-best of her life), surpassing the AARTFC standard. Junior Hannah McMasters also threw a season's best in the weight, earning the AARTFC standard.
 
Starting with the throws squad at Cornell, it was nearly raining PRs as Molly McMasters and Colleen Patrie hit PRs in the shot put, that may have pushed them both into the conference championships next weekend! Jason Zaita hit a big PR in the shot, while teammates Sean Keane and Ramel Radcliff both hit career bests in the weight throw.
 
For the jumps, Gavin Franco came up with a big final attempt to earn himself a trip to the conference meet in triple jump; Vegas Petersen set a new PR in pole vault while Taiog Cypher hit a new best in high jump. Sophomore Reilly Quinn not only set a PR, but also took over the SUNYAC lead with her clearance of 1.60 meters.
 
On the track, we saw some great middle-distance action as Matthew Mullen hit a new lifetime best in the 800, and Cortland was well-represented in the 600 by Lenny Diaz and Hector Ramos on the men's side, and Kelly Newman and Jewel Jones on the women's. Jewel's performance stands out in that she ran almost 9 seconds faster than her previous best!
 
Our women's 400 runners that stuck to the relay (Faith Nelson, Izzie Bosko, and Matty Lucey) ran much improved 400 legs as compared to last week's efforts in the open 400, which was due to a great adjustment in racing strategy. In the men's 400, despite starting a bit slower over the first lap then we might have wanted, Josh Jeffes, Evan Jensen, and Zion Cheatham all turned in great final laps to hit new season's best for the flat track. Marcello Mastrocco dropped a big PR in the 200 in what was clearly his best race to date in a Cortland singlet. And of course, the 60 meters went really well – not just from the standpoint of Autumn and her new school record, but also Matthew Schaffert moving into a tie all-time for 4th at Cortland in the 60, LeBron Richardson dipping under the 7-second barrier, and good overall efforts from Deontae Bennett, Kendall Sobczyk, and Alexia Prince.
 
The next 48 hours is a bit tense as we work through all the SUNYAC qualifying and entries, but we're looking forward to have a strong showing at the conference championships this upcoming Friday and Saturday!