Fino sets school record as VU Track and Field competes at George Glass Invitational

UPLAND, Ind. – Vincennes University freshman Giorgia Fino (Italy) set a new school record in the javelin throw Saturday afternoon as the Trailblazers took part in the George Glass Invitational hosted by Taylor University.

Fino's throw of 112 feet or 34.13 meters set a new Vincennes University Women's Outdoor school record, surpassing the previous set by Sue Buechler in 1988.

The VU Track and Field teams faced tough competition Saturday afternoon, with Fino's record-setting throw giving her a second-place finish in the meet.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Koenig (Terre Haute, Ind.) was the only other Vincennes Women's podium placer, finishing in sixth place in the 3000 meter Steeplechase with a time of 13:19.98.

Sophomore Kyra Young (South Bend, Ind.) just missed the podium with a ninth-place finish in the Women's 5000 meter race, ending with a time of 19:38.54.

"Weather again was a big factor, effecting times and distances," VU Track and Field Head Coach Marty Rogier said. "It was another cold, windy day, but we competed well against some very good competition."

"On the ladies side, we were led by Giorgia who finished second and set a new school record in the Javelin," Rogier added. "We had solid races by Kyra Young, Kaitlyn Koenig and Brittany Page (Bicknell, Ind.)."

On the men's side, freshman Nicholas Stanislaus (Grenada) took home the top spot in the Triple Jump with a distance of 13.55 meters.

Stanislaus would also go on to place third in the Long Jump at 6.56 meters.

Sophomore Kyle Stewart edged out Stanislaus in the Long Jump, with Stewart taking second with a jump of 7.15 meters.

Stewart was also part of the Men's 4x100 Relay team with sophomore Damian Ross (East St. Louis, Ill.) and freshmen Collin Sutton (New Albany, Ind.) and Jalen Bowman (Evansville, Ind.) that took the top spot with a time of 43.04 seconds.

Bowman would also finish second in the 100 meter sprint at 10.82 seconds.

Sophomore Trenton Faulkner (Vincennes, Ind.) ended with an eighth-place finish in the 800 meter race, ending with a time of 2:02.30.

"On the men's side, Nicholas had a very good day in the long jump and triple jump," Rogier said. "Jalen ran another solid 100 meter and anchored our winning 4x100 Relay team."

"Yamar Lyons (Kalamazoo, Mich.) had a big PR in the 200 meter," Rogier added. "Collin Sutton turned in a good effort in the 400 as well. Most of our distance crew stepped up to run the 5000 meters against some really good runners. I think this weekend will really help them when we drop back into their normal events next week."

"Kyle Stewart earned the Trailblazer Willie Award this week for his efforts in the long jump, where he was just 5 centimeters shy of qualifying for National and ran a very fast leg of the 4x100 Relay."

The Trailblazers will look to continue to improve and earn National Qualifiers as VU gets ready for next weekend's Pacesetter Invitational hosted by Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.

The two-day meet will begin on Friday, April 8 and conclude Saturday, April 9.

VINCENNES RESULTS

WOMEN'S RESULTS

Javelin

Giorgia Fino – 2 (34.13m) – SCHOOL RECORD

3000m Steeplechase

Kaitlyn Koenig – 6 (13:19.98)

MEN'S RESULTS

Jalen Bowman – 2 (10.82)

800m

Trenton Faulkner – 8 (2:02.30)

4x100 Relay

Ross, Stewart, Sutton, Bowman – 1 (43.04)

Long Jump

Kyle Stewart – 2 (7.15m)

Nicholas Stanislaus – 3 (6.56m)

Triple Jump

Nicholas Stanislaus – 1 (13.55m)