Acoff Wins the Shot Put and Men’s Track & Field Makes Strong Return
Phoenix, AZ- The men’s track & field team travelled across town on Saturday morning to compete in the Puma Classic, a meet hosted by Paradise Valley Community College. The team came away with a bevy of new personal bests and program top ten record performances.
Sophomore TaHaj Acoff won the shot put with a personal best throw of 50′-5″ and led the men’s track & field team in their return from winter break at the Puma Classic at Paradise Valley Community College. Joining Acoff in the shot put was senior Drew Gertenrich who also established a new personal best while finishing third with a throw of 43′-2.5″.
In the sprints, the top performance of the day came from freshman Zachary Cornelius who ran a college and personal best time of 53.8 in the men’s 400 meters.
Freshman Tanner Johnson ran his first collegiate mile in 4:44.24 which is third fastest in program history, He followed that with a 2:00.22 in the 800 which placed him second overall at the meet, and fifth all time in the program.
Thoughts from Head Coach Brian Bell
“The coaching staff and I are pleased with everyone’s performance today. It was an important test after the winter break and the team passed with flying colors. We are well ahead of where we were, at this point last year. We have a very strong, young team and this looks to be a special season.”
Top Performers
- 60 Meter: Lionel McPhaull – 7.40
- 200 Meter: Markeese Wright – 23.61
- 400 Meter: Zachary Cornelius – 53.8
- 800 Meter: Tanner Johnson – 2:00.22 – #5 Top Ten List
- 1600 Meter: Tanner Johnson – 4:44.24 – #2 Top Ten List
- 60 Meter Hurdles: Thaddious Thurman – 9.47
- Shot Put: TaHaj Acoff – 50′ 5″ – #2 Top Ten List
- Weight Throw: TaHaj Acoff – 44′ 4″ – Program Record
- Long Jump: QJ Cannon – 17′ 6.25″
- Triple Jump: QJ Cannon – 38′ 4.25″
Next On the Schedule
The team will travel to Albuquerque, NM to compete at the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Invitational at the University of New Mexico. They will compete on Friday and Saturday January 24th and 25th with both track and field events starting at 3:00pm on Friday.
Roll Storm!
