Panthers Track Teams Turn It On In Tampa

By  //  April 14, 2013

Squad Will Compete In Gainesville On Saturday

TAMPA, FLORIDA – Florida Tech placed in the top two in seven events Saturday evening at the University of Tampa Ryan McCall Track Meet.

Florida Tech's Chris Cacciapaglia ran the 800-meter run at a time of 1:57.28, which was the second fastest time in University of Tampa Ryan McCall Track Meet on Saturday. (Image courtesy of Florida Tech)
Florida Tech’s Chris Cacciapaglia ran the 800-meter run at a time of 1:57.28, which was the second fastest time in University of Tampa Ryan McCall Track Meet on Saturday. (Image courtesy of Florida Tech)

“Today was a great meet for us, and for most of the team it was their last race of the season,” head coach Pete Mazzone said. “We had personal records in the women’s 1,500-meter run. Both Brianna (Fugere) and Chelsea (Forgenie) had very good races. Ellyn (Willse) also had a personal record in the 400-meter hurdles.

“Our sprinters ran very well. Gary (Holmes) won gold in the 100 and 200. Justin (McMaster) ran the 5,000-meter run and five minutes later ran in the 4×400-meter relay. All in all, I’m very proud of the way this team has come together this year. This meet was another step in the right direction.”

Gary Holmes added to his strong freshman season by winning the 100-meter dash in a photo finish at 10.9332. Jaruez Wynn, an unattached runner, was second at 10.9382. Holmes then won the 200-meter dash at a season and school-best 21.94.

Chris Cacciapaglia ran the 800-meter run at a time of 1:57.28, which was the second fastest time in the race and his fourth fastest of the season.

florida_tech_logoFor the first time in the Panthers’ history, they competed in the men’s 4×400-meter relay and came in second at 3:28.27. Racing for FIT was Holmes, Jake Honadle, William Comaskey and Cacciapaglia.

Brianna Fugere won the 1,500-meter run at a personal best time of 5:00.33. The time was also the third fastest in program history. Chelsea Forgenie registered a personal best at 5:03.46, good for second place.

Ellyn Willse ran a season-best 1:09.03 in the 400-meter hurdles to finish second. Erika Forsberg grabbed a second-place finish in the 800-meter run at 2:27.19. Ashley Vezima was the fifth runner to cross the finish line in the 100-meter dash at 13.66.

Since field events were not scheduled for the Tampa meet, Rhoni Gavagni and Phil Maloney dodged rain bullets to compete in the University of Miami Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables. Gavagni hurled the javelin a season-best 26.60 meters to place seventh among 16 participants. Also, Maloney finished second to a thrower from Temple at a distance of 41.70 meters in the hammer throw.

Up next for the Panthers is the Tom Jones Memorial Classic, hosted by the University of Florida, in Gainesville on Saturday.