Lehigh opens outdoor season Saturday at Philly College Classic

Saturday, March 21

Philadelphia, Pa.

11:00 a.m.

Lehigh University

Philly Classic

Lehigh opens outdoor season Saturday at Philly College Classic

3/19/2015 3:37:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh track and field teams will begin the outdoor season Saturday at the Philadelphia College Classic. The Mountain Hawks will compete in the all-day event at Penn's Franklin Field to kick off a string of five straight weekends on the road.

Both Mountain Hawk squads are coming off strong indoor seasons. The women finished third at the Patriot League Championship meet before four women earned All-East honors at the ECAC Championship two weeks ago. The Mountain Hawk men finished fifth at the league championship meet and three Mountain Hawks earned All-East distinction at the IC4A Championships.

The women finished the indoor Patriot League Championship with three event titles and three second-place finishes. Senior Natalie Bates claimed the pentathlon title, while junior Gabrielle Wardle finished second. Sophomore Courtney Avery earned her second-straight indoor high jump title at the league championship meet while senior Victoria Mullane finished atop the podium in the 800 meter run. All four women later earned All-East status in their respective events at the ECAC Championships.

The Lehigh men earned two event titles and three runner-up statuses at the Patriot League Championship meet. Senior Adeolu Adesida grabbed the high jump title, while freshman Trevor Knowles won the heptathlon en route to being named the Rookie of the Meet. Senior Ryan Mahalsky claimed the 5,000 meter run title at the IC4A Championships two weeks ago after setting a new school record with a time of 14:07.82. Senior Benjamin Beauchamp (weight throw) and sophomore Lucas Warning (shot put) also earned All-East status in their respective events.

Both squads found success at last year's Philly Classic. Four men earned first-place finishes while two turned out IC4A-qualifying marks. The Lehigh women claimed first in the 800 meter race in addition to several second-place finishes.

Following the Philly Classic, the Mountain Hawks will split their teams next weekend between the Winthrop Invitational, Raleigh Relays and Lafayette 7-Way.