Bennett and Burke Break School Records, Leads Lehigh's Successful Weekend

Friday, February 11

New York, N.Y.

12:00 PM

Lehigh University

Rutgers Invitational

Photo by: Don Paul

Bennett and Burke Break School Records, Leads Lehigh's Successful Weekend

2/13/2022 8:55:00 AM | Men's Track and Field

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Senior Kyle Burke is making his final year as a Mountain Hawk count while first-year Jonathan Bennett is working to make a name for himself in his first year at Lehigh. The duo may have different levels of experience but they share one thing in common: a Lehigh school record.

On Friday, Burke broke his third school record of the year in the mile at the Rutgers Open at the Armory (4:05.00). Bennett followed in Burke's footsteps, breaking the school record in the 60m hurdles on Saturday at the Armory (8.12).

The duo led the way for Lehigh on Friday and Saturday, finishing the two-day meet with two of the total 25 PRs. On top of two school records, the Mountain Hawks finished the two-day meet with three top ten all-time additions.

The distance group has continued to assert its dominance, finishing the weekend with 11 PRs. The Mountain Hawks started off the Rutgers Open strong on Friday, with graduate student Seth Slavin grabbing a fifth place finish in the 5000m (14:57.73). First-year Kevin Harvey (14:57.87) and junior Avery Lederer (15:11.27) both grabbed PRs in the 5000m on Friday, finishing sixth and 11th, respectively.

On Saturday, the distance group continued to finish with impressive times. Burke led the way with his first-place finish in the 800m (1:51.44), coming close to breaking his fourth school record of the 2022 indoor season. Junior Jake Martinez was close behind, finishing fifth with a new PR of 1:53.14. Five other Mountain Hawks earned PRs in the 800m as well.

Junior Connor Melko added more success for the Lehigh distance group. Melko finished second in the 3000m with a new PR of 8:17.95. Junior Riley Williamson also earned a new PR in the 3000m, finishing with a time of 9:03.98.

At the Monmouth Invitational, the distance group continued to have success on the track. Junior Joseph Cranley finished second in the mile with a new PR of 4:22.24. Sophomore Griffin Pumilia also earned a new PR in the mile, finishing with a time of 4:32.48.

Lehigh's sprints group was able to find success on Friday at the Armory as well. First-year Patrez Thomas finished with two PRs over the weekend. Thomas earned a PR in the 200m (22.95) and the 400m (51.83). Junior Amondo Lemmon also earned a PR in the 200m, finishing with a time of 23.70.

On the field side, the Mountain Hawks continued to finish both meets with impressive performances. First-year Mulenga Malama finished the Monmouth Invitational with a new PR in the triple jump (13.15m). Senior Ian Scott grabbed a fifth place finish in the triple jump as well.

Several Lehigh pole vaulters tied their PRs over the weekend. Junior Adam Stavash finished sixth with a mark of 4.25m, first-years Gideon Coprivnicar (3.50m) and Jack Murphy (3.95m) also tied their current PRs.

Lehigh's throws continued to show improvement over the weekend. Four Mountain Hawks earned PRs in the weight throw on Saturday. Leading the way was sophomore Achilles Mouzakis who finished fourth with a mark of 16.17m. Junior Quinn Conlan followed close behind with a seventh place finish (15.15m). First-years Liam Lovering and Hunter Rodarmel both ended Saturday with PRs of 14.02m and 13.05m, respectively. In the shot put, sophomore Alex Clevenger finished eighth with a new PR of 14.10m.

The Mountain Hawks will head to the Bucknell Tune Up on Friday, Feb. 18 for their last meet of the indoor season before the Patriot League Championships.