Track and Field Teams Begin Outdoor Season This Weekend in Virginia

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The University of Bridgeport's track and field teams will begin their 2025 outdoor campaign this weekend at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational in Lynchburg, Va. A full schedule for the meet can be found here.

THE OPENER
For the second straight year, the Purple Knights will take part in the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational. Field events begin on Friday at noon with the men's javelin throw. Running events will start at 6 p.m. with the 1500 invitational, the 5,000 invitational and the 10,000 open.

A full schedule for the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational can be found here. Live results can be found here.

THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
After the trip to Virginia, UB will stay in New England for the rest of their spring slate. The Purple Knights will travel to SCSU twice for both the Wilton Wright Invitational (4/12) and the Jack Maloney/Jim Barber Meet (4/26).

UB will also stay in the state for the ECSU Bonnie Edmonson Classic in Willimantic (4/18). Following the regular season, the 2025 CACC Championships are scheduled to take place on May 2-3 at Georgian Court.

ALL-REGION PANZERA
Sophomore John Panzera starts his second outdoor campaign after earning a pair of All-Region accolades. First, he earned the distinction following the outdoor season of 2024 and then after this past indoor campaign.

He finished this past winter ranked fourth in the East Region in the heptathlon. He earned his regional score thanks to a terrific performance at the Bucknell Bison Open and Multi on Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Panzera tallied three PRs that weekend in Lewisburg, including in the 60-meter (7.53), the long jump (6.08m) and the 60-hurdles (8.98) en route to a total of 4,314 pts.

WOMEN'S 200
UB's most popular event this weekend will be the 200-meter on the women's side. Abety Kivagheni, Kara Sampath, Lynzie Lawton, and Samantha Rodriguez will all compete on Saturday against competitors from Division I, II and III schools.

Sampath finished ranked in the top-50 in the east region during the indoor season in the 400-meter. She rattled off a 400 time of 1:02.83 at Boston University's David Hemery Valentine Invitational on Feb. 14.

EDOARDO DEBUT
Saturday will be the outdoor debut of Edoardo Vandelli in the 800-meter. The freshman from Italy finished the indoor season ranked seventh in the region in the event with a time of 1:56.75.

Vandelli will also compete in the 4x400 relay on Saturday with Panzera, Nickolas Barba and Damian Coles.

WOMEN'S FIELD EVENTS
Coming off strong indoor seasons, Faith Hershberger and Anna-Mae Nellis will each compete in several field events on Friday and Saturday.

Regionally speaking, Nellis finished 34^th in the east in the shot put (10.46m) and 32^nd in the weight throw (12.60m) during the indoor season. Hershberger, meanwhile, placed 17^th in the pole vault (2.40m) and 39^th in the triple jump (9.49m).

DANTE AND MARVIN
Dante Lingley and Marvin Fenwick, Jr. are also coming off impressive indoor seasons with top-30 regional marks. Lingley finished 14^th in the 60-meter (6.97) and 29^th in the 200-meter (22.48) while Fenwick placed 19^th in the triple jump (13.37m).

Fenwick will compete in the long jump and the triple jump on Saturday.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING (Quotes)

Gregg Schmidt – Head Coach, 3^rd Year

"This season is about more than just running faster, jumping higher or throwing farther; it's about building something greater together. Growth doesn't come from comfort; it comes from the grit of hard work, the strength of respect for one another, and the courage to push beyond yesterday's limits. Together we are continuing to build the identity of UB Track and Field and be an example of what collegiate track and field should stand for."

Nick Migliarese, Sophomore

"This outdoor season is going to be a representation of our team's improvements from the indoor season. We are mostly underclassman with tons of potential to develop. We will continue to show up, work hard and make our presence known this outdoor season. We have the tools to upset some teams at conference and finish the highest our team ever has in program history. I can't wait to see all the PR's and school records we break this outdoor season as our confidence on the track grows."

Kara Sampath, Graduate Student

"For this coming outdoor season, I believe the team is full of potential and has what it takes to get to another level with consistency, hard work and dedication. There's still room for improvement as the team is young and still building, however, we have a progressive team and an experienced and supportive coach who is willing to work with us and add to our development. Looking forward to a positive season full of personal records and season bests."

For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), Twitter (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).