GLASSBORO, N.J. - - For the first time in program history, the Wilmington University track and field team had a sub-11 second 100-meter time, as two Wildcats accomplished the feat as the teams competed at the Fast Times Before Finals hosted by Rowan University on Saturday afternoon.
Matthew Hibbert and Tafadziswa Bunu ran the second and fourth fastest 100 and 200-meter events in the East Region of the year, respectively. Hibbert broke Bunu's school record in both events as well, running the 100-meter event in 10.83 seconds, the second fastest in the East Region this season. Bunu was right behind his teammate, finishing in 10.90 seconds for the fourth fastest time in the East this year. Only Southern Connecticut State's Nigel Green has run a faster 100-meter time this year, with an NCAA provisional time of 10.30 seconds. \
It was more of the same in the 200-meter event, as Hibbert broke Bunu's school record and recorded the second fastest time in the East with a time of 21.98 seconds. Bunu set a new personal mark in the event with a time of 22.23 seconds, the fourth fastest time in the East this season. Only SCSU's Green has a faster time in the region this year with an NCAA provisional time of 21.13 seconds.
Jimmy Keenan qualified for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship in 200-meter as well on Saturday, running in a season's best 23.35 seconds. Also posting new season's bests was Devin Valenzuela in both the 800-meter and 1,500-meter events. He finished the 800 in a time of 2:05.98 while finishing 17th of 24 in the 1,500-meter with a time of 4:19.79. Daniel Wyshinski qualified for the CACCs in the 5,000-meter with a time of 16:28.46.
In the field events, Josh Varghese broke his own school record in the shot put, tossing the 16-pound shot 13.82 meters (45 feet, 4.25 inches) to finish third at the event. He also competed in the discus with a distance of 41.86 meters and the hammer throw with a toss of 44.92 meters. Mitchell Coll rounded out the Wildcats on Saturday with a javelin throw of 37.15 meters.
On the women's side, Yailynn Ramirez ran her season's best in both the 800-meter and 1,500-meter events on Saturday. She cut more than eight seconds off her 800-meter time, running the event in 2:40.28. She also cut more than 17 seconds off her 1,500-meter time on Saturday, crossing the line in 5:23.90.
Alexa Crowell ran her fastest 5,000-meter time of the year as well, shaving nearly 12 seconds off with a time of 20:44.62.
Lina Boussif qualified for the CACC's in the 400-meter hurdles, competing in the event for the first time this season on Saturday. She crossed the line in 1:19.86 at Rowan. She is currently ranked 11th in the CACC in the event.
In the field events, Viviana Caamano threw a CACC qualifying distance of 26.08 meters (85 feet, 7 inches) in the hammer throw on Saturday. She also threw the shot put 8.19 meters and the discus 20.89 meters. Lina Boussif tossed the javelin 14.60 meters to round out the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have 13 days off to prepare for the CACC Championships at Georgian Court. The men will compete on Friday, May 14 with the women taking their turn on Sunday, May 16.