By: Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – St. Bonaventure's conference qualifiers scored four new program records to highlight a weekend of competition at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Indoor Track Championships inside the Virginia Beach Sports Center.
On Friday night, the Bonnies set three records and six total PRs.
Brendan Chapple, the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, crushed his school record from a week ago in the 1000 meters. He clocked in at 2:28.98, almost four full seconds better than his time at Nazareth seven days prior.
Chapple placed 10th of 19 competitors in the championship race and narrowly missed transferring to the finals by two spots and less than half a second. The final transfer spot went to Grahm Breiter of Davidson who finished with 2:28.47.
Sophomore Alex Ryan also broke the standing school record with a huge PR as he followed Chapple to the finish line at 2:29.14 with a time that was over five seconds better than his effort of a week prior.
Freshman Riley Dillon also made a strong championship meet debut with new school-best times in both the 200 meters (23.70) and 400 meters (50.74). In the 400, he became the first Bonnies athlete to crack into the 50-second bracket, easily besting his own record time of 51.47 set at Youngstown State earlier this month.
On Saturday, sophomore Aiden Scattergood turned in a PR for the mile as he beat his previous best mark by three seconds to lead the team at 4:26.20 for 15th out of 24 competitors.
Senior Zane Courtwright then gave the Bonnies another program record the 3000 meters. He clocked in at 8:32.64 which is over four seconds better than his previous PR and nearly three seconds better than the old school record of 8:35.59 set by Clay Peets at last year's conference meet. Sophomore William McCarthy also PR'ed at 8:51.44, good for third in the program record book.
"The team's hard work, dedication and consistent training played a crucial role in their success this indoor season," St. Bonaventure head coach Bob Macfarlane said. "Their collaborative effort and positive attitudes helped each team member improve and achieve their goals. Their accomplishments are a result of determination and staying focused on their objectives."
While indoor season comes to a close, the Bonnies will now look toward the outdoor schedule which begins April 5-6 at the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va.
BONNIES RESULTS
400 meters
14. Riley Dillon – 50.74 ** - SCHOOL RECORD
17. Christian Figueroa – 52.51
18. Aidan Hurley – 53.25 (PR)
200 meters
18. Riley Dillon – 23.70 ** - SCHOOL RECORD
800 meters
18. Kieran Ryan – 1:58.65
20. Brian Gleason – 1:59.29
1000 meters
10. Brendan Chapple – 2:28.98 ** - SCHOOL RECORD
11. Alex Ryan – 2:29.14 (PR)
17. Joshua Lopez – 2:33.99 (PR)
Mile
15. Aiden Scattergood – 4:26.20 (PR)
19. Alex Ryan – 4:30.75
24. Aiden Holt – 4:38.32
3000 meters
20. Zane Courtwright – 8:32.64 ** - SCHOOL RECORD
30. William McCarthy – 8:51.44 (PR)
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