Tigers in Italy: Day 4

Photo by: Beverly Schaefer

June 21, 2019 | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field

Day 4

Today marked our first meet of the Italy trip, competing in Stadio Paolo Rossi where we have been training the last couple of days.

Joey Daniels '20 won the 100 with a PR of 10.71, while Michael Phillippy '22 won the 200 at 22.11. Dayo Abeeb '22 was first in the long jump at 6.06 and Adam Kelly '19 won the hammer throw. Jeffrey Hollis '21 matched his PR with a 2.15 and by that point had built up a massive crowd as they cheered him on during his three attempts at 2.18. Chandler Ault '22 also had a big cheering section in the javelin – which may or may not have been because the javelin was situated near a shaded area the team was hanging in all day.

If you've not already seen the videos of Robbie Otal '21 and C.J. Licata '22 on Instagram, you must check it out. The pair had a friendly bet going on in their event, the discus, with Licata declaring he was the better thrower and would prove it by doing a standing throw for the competition. Needless to say Otal won – but by just seven meters – so they are doubling down for the meet in Milan.

The final event, the men's 4x100 had at least the Princeton crowd motivated. It featured two decathletes in Andrei Iosivas '22 and Harry Lord '20 with Phillippy and Cole Bransford '19 taking legs 2 and 4. A cheer went up as the relay smoothly executed the handoffs with a tight finish with the Italians.

Rylie Pease '21 won the javelin while Obiageri Amaechi '21 won the discus with Julia Harisay '21 within one meter of her PR in the event. Luisa Chantler-Edmund was the runner-up in the hammer and Alexandra Munson '21 was second in the long jump. Madison Offstein '19 claimed second in the 800 with a time close to her PR. Allison Glossinger '19 was second in the 400 and Allie Klimkiewicz '19 was third in the 1500. Ellie Randolph '19 won the 100 hurdles while Hanne Borstlap '22 was third.

The Tigers put together two relays for the 4x100 and placed second and third.

Afterwards the teams gathered for the trophy ceremony and an impromptu dance broke out between the groups. We gathered for a pizza dinner with the Italian athletes and the meet officials at the stadium. It was an excellent meet and everyone was so very nice and courteous and we are so appreciative of them organizing it and putting it on for us.

Tomorrow marks a travel day as we leave Rome and take a high-speed train to Florence.