The weather getting colder means the indoor season is here. The UD Club XCTF team made its winter track debut on Saturday, December 9th at the Susquehanna Early Season Invite hosted by Susquehanna Univeristy.

The women’s long jump initiated the season and didn’t disappoint. Sophomore Lianna Greenstein extended her collegiate career, surpassing her indoor record on the performance list. She achieved a new personal best of 4.57m, securing 12th place overall and maintaining her position at the top of the indoor LJ performance list. Greenstein continued her remarkable success by breaking her previous triple jump record with each of her three jumps, securing fourth place against strong competition. Each jump set a new all-time best, raising her indoor performance to 10.66m, maintaining her top spot on the TJ performance list.

Our men’s jumpers began their season with senior Andy Spillane nearing his indoor personal best of 5.77m, securing a top-20 placement overall. Following his performance was senior Josiah Taylor (4.56) and junior Gavin Looram (4.28) making strong starts to their indoor seasons.

The track events began with our men’s and women’s spring medley relay. The men’s team, comprising sophomore Kurt Krummenacker (400m), senior Shane Isacson (200m), senior Andy Spillane (200m), and freshman Skylar Grey (800m), finished in 4:02.06, a thrilling start to the track races. The women’s SMR team, led by junior Eli Manning (400m), sophomore Grace Wertheimer (200m), senior Sam Radinsky (200m), and senior distance captain Aine Grubb (800m), finished in 5:19.9.

While some distance runners are recovering from the cross country season, notable performances were witnessed in both men’s and women’s mile events. Sophomore Evan Diefenbeck debuted on the track, securing 12th place overall with a 4:41 mile, setting the stage for a promising season. Freshman Ryan Healy made his collegiate debut, breaking the 5-minute barrier with a time of 4:59.7, securing a top-20 position. In the men’s 3k, Diefenbeck claimed 4th place with an impressive time of 9:17.6, while Jack Pelczar ran a 9:55.9, breaking the 10-minute mark for the first time. The men’s distance squad wrapped up with the 800m race, where Josh Pawlik (2:09.9) placed 9th and Evan Pawlik (2:13.26) followed closely, securing a top-15 spot .

The women’s distance team showcased star performances that secured spots on the all-time indoor performance list. Freshman Ella Malletta impressed with a 5:36.8 mile, claiming 8th place overall and 6th on the indoor performance list in her collegiate indoor debut. Graduate student Robin Collura (5:55.4) finished under the 6-minute mark and started her season strongly. Maletta and Collura continued to dominate in the 800-meter race as well. In the 800 meter race Maletta’s 2:29.5 landed her third on the indoor performance list, and an 8th place overall finish. Collura claimed the 20th spot overall with her time of 2:40.7 and added another impressive race to her collegiate career.

Our sprinters were eager for their first chance to compete this season and did not disappoint. Sophomores Rilee McMahon (8.84) and Kurt Krummenacker (7.54) secured top-40 positions in the men’s and women’s 60-meter races. Freshman Layla Rushing claimed 8th place on the indoor performance list with a 400-meter time of 1:11.6 in her collegiate debut. Rushing also competed in the 60-meter hurdle dash, securing a time of 11.45, which placed her third on the indoor performance list. Senior Sam Radinsky maintained her 7th place on the performance list, enhancing her time to 30.58 in the 200m race. On the men’s side, freshman James Jeffers placed top 30 in both the 200m and 400m races with times of 24.42 and 54.96, respectively.

The meet concluded with our men’s and women’s 4×400 meter relays. Delaware’s men, featuring Spencer Wheeler, Cole Donnelly, Sean Simonini, and anchored by Ian Levine, finished in 4:12.15. The women’s squad, comprising Robin Collura, Eli Manning, Grace Wertheimer, and Aine Grubb, finished in 4:53.7 claiming the 5th spot on the performance list and capping off an exciting season opener.

With an exciting first meet of the Indoor season, Delaware is gearing up for the next meet on January 20th, at the Collegeville Invitational hosted by Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.

Full results can be found here.