Despite chilly and windy conditions, the Muhlenberg track and field teams enjoyed an outstanding day at their home meet.

The top performance was by senior Michelle Gaykowski, who broke her own school record in the discus, improving her mark by nearly four feet from 136-6 to 140-1. Entering the weekend's meets, there were only four better throws in Division III this season. Gaykowski placed third, behind the two-time NCAA Division III champion from Ithaca and a Division I thrower from Lehigh.

Fellow thrower Michael Havkins also had a sensational day in the discus cage. The junior won the event in 156-7 - the best throw by a Mule in 31 years and more than 11 feet better than his previous personal record of 145-6. Entering the weekend's meets, there were only seven better marks in Division III this season. 

Gaykowski and Havkins led a highlight-filled meet for the throwers. Sophomore Erik Berger qualified for ECACs and finished fourth in the discus at 141-10. Junior Alex Mitton, returning to action after missing all of the 2016 season due to injury, came in fourth (third among collegiate competitors) in the javelin.

Junior Jess Voltaggio (pictured above left) finished third in the javelin, increasing her personal best from 121-7 to 129-0 and moving from third to second on the program's all-time performance list. The only person ahead of her, Sarah Mitchell '07, was on campus to be inducted into the Muhlenberg College Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony after the meet.

In addition to Havkins, junior Anthony Ware recorded a first-place finish, winning the 100 meters in an ECAC-qualifying time. Ware crossed the finish line first in all three of his races, winning his heats in the 4x100 relay (third overall) and the 200 meters (sixth overall).

Senior Jake Waleski (pictured above right) also placed in three events, joining Ware on the 4x100 team and finishing eighth in the 400 hurdles and fourth with the 4x400 relay. To the delight of their soccer teammates who were working the meet, senior brothers Andrew Bell and Patrick Bell both placed in the top eight in the 800, with Andrew winning his heat.

Junior Jamie Pacilio had the most impressive performance on the track for the women, coming in third in the 5000 meters. The only runners to beat her were the 2017 Division III indoor champion in the 5K and a Division I athlete from Seton Hall. Pacilio's time of 17:48.66 was good for fourth on the Mules' performance list.

Junior Emily Davidson set a personal best in the 1500, moving from eighth to seventh on the performance list.

complete results

Muhlenberg Placewinners
women
800m: 7. Victoria Cabellos, 2:23.90
1500m: 3. Emily Davidson, 4:50.44 
5000m: 3. Jamie Pacilio, 17:48.66 (ECAC qualifier)
4x100m: 7. Rashida Haye, Hailey Kleinberg, Gracie Duah, Shana Joseph, 52.86
Triple jump: 6. Madison Kirchofer, 32-0¼
Discus: 3. Michelle Gaykowski, 140-1 (school record, ECAC qualifier)
Javelin: 3. Jess Voltaggio, 129-0 (ECAC qualifier)
Pole vault: 8. Claudia Theriault, 9-6¼

men
100m: 1. Anthony Ware, 11.05 (ECAC qualifier)
200m: 6. Anthony Ware, 23.10
800m: 6. Andrew Bell, 1:59.61; 8. Patrick Bell, 2:00.50
1500m: 2. Corey Mullins, 4:03.67
400m hurdles: 5. Kem Montina, 58.82; 8. Jake Waleski, 1:01.33
4x100m: 3. Christopher Dasaro, Michael Rainone, Jake Waleski, Anthony Ware, 43.99
4x400m: 4. Jake Waleski, Andrew Bell, Patrick Bell, Mike Bessette, 3:31.72
Discus: 1. Michael Havkins, 156-7 (ECAC qualifier); 4. Erik Berger, 141-10 (ECAC qualifier)
Javelin: 4. Alex Mitton, 168-5