Several Central Connecticut State track and field athletes posted personal bests this past week as both the men’s and women’s teams compete, but fell short during the Millrose Games in New York City and the University of Albany Winter Classic at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York.

The Central Connecticut State University women’s distance medley relay (DMR) team delivered a strong finish at the Millrose Games

The women’s DMR team continued to have success, finishing fourth overall with a time of 11:48.74 at the Millrose Games this past weekend. The fearsome foursome consisting of senior Megan Brawner, sophomore Angie Rafter, freshman Ashley Dana and freshman Magnalen Camara is currently ranked sixth in the 2019-2020 IC4A/ECAC women’s DMR rankings with a best time of 11:41.59, which they posted two weeks ago at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic on Jan. 24.

Head coach Eric Blake said consistency and the ability to pick each other up are the keys to the women’s DMR team’s success.

“The four are very consistent, which is important especially on a relay. We can count on them to perform,” Blake said. “Even if one has an off day, they are only about a second or so off their best. Consistency is a good quality and this relay has it.”

At the University of Albany, Winter Classic junior Teaira Edwards finished the women’s weighted throw event in a twenty-fourth place with a personal best throw of 14.04 meters. Freshman Aaliyah Walker placed seventeenth in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 10.93 meters. The women’s 4×400 relay team consisting of Labbie, Walker, freshman Kamilah Diaz and freshman Kaylia Bailey finished in twenty-second place with a time of 4:14.01.

The CCSU men’s track and field team also took part in the University at Albany Winter Classic this past weekend, highlighted by an eighth-place finish in the 500-meter dash from Senior Richard Grudzwick with a time of 1:05.69.

Senior Alex Norstrom led five Blue Devils in the men’s mile run at the University of Albany Winter Classic with an eleventh place finish at 4:21.39. Freshman Elias Field also competed in the mile run and finished in fourteenth place with a personal best time of 14:21.97. Senior Julio Arredondo clocked in at 4:24.78 landing him in twentieth place in the mile run. Freshman Eddie Nicholas finished the mile run in twenty-eighth place with a personal best time of 4:28.85.

Senior Nana Kissi competed in both the weighted throw and shot-put events. He posted a personal best in the weighted throw with a toss of 14.13 meters and placed twenty-second. In the shot-put event, he came in fourteenth place with a throw of 13.35 meters.

The CCSU track and field teams are back in Boston, MA next weekend to compete in the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at the Boston University Track and Tennis Center on Saturday, Feb. 15. They then head back to Staten Island, NY for the NEC Championships the following weekend on Feb. 21 and 22.

Megan Brawner is part of The Recorder staff.