ALLIANCE, Ohio – Geneva College Head Track and Field Coach Phil Thompson was optimistic about the talented group of freshmen sprinters that were entering the program this year, and the sprinters did not disappoint on Saturday in the season-opening meet at Mount Union, highlighted by freshman Titus Mathews' victory in the 400-meter race.  A number of Golden Tornadoes did not compete at the meet, including all of the cross country distance runners who just completed their season two weeks ago, and the majority of Geneva athletes competed in just one event as they ease their way into the new season.

Mathews delivered Geneva's only first-place finish on the day in the 400-meter race, posting the winning time out of the third heat, finishing the two-lap race on Mount Union's 200-meter track in 51.83 seconds.  He defeated multiple Division II runners in the race.  In fact, the Golden Tornadoes showed very well in the race with freshman Ryan Kosydar placing sixth in a time of 53.00 seconds and freshman Tyler Boyle finishing eighth in a time of 53.33 seconds.

Sophomore Abe Konneh also had an impressive opener, bringing home a third-place finish in the 200-meter race with a personal best indoor time of 23.07 seconds, behind only Division II runners.  In addition, Konneh placed fourth overall in the 60-meter race in a personal best time of 7.02 seconds, again behind only Division II runners. 

In addition to Konneh's performance in the 60-meter race, freshman Karim Ouardirhi also made it to the finals in the short sprint out of a competitive field, placing seventh in a time of 7.13 seconds.  Freshmen Judah Abram (7.19 seconds) and DeVaughn Griffin (7.22 seconds) also ran well, just missing out on the finals.

On the women's side, sophomore sprinter Sara Vos also had a great day with a personal best time in the 60-meter race, finishing in 8.07 seconds, which was third overall among another talented group of competitors.

Freshman hurdler Grace Hersch added a seventh-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 10.70 seconds.

In the jumps, freshman Amiri Copeland placed second overall in the triple jump with a distance of 11.98 meters.  He also placed eighth in the long jump by jumping 6.07 meters.

On the women's side in the jumps, sophomore Olivia Seetoo placed sixth overall in the high jump, clearing 1.52 meters.  Junior Daphne Alexander was right behind in seventh place, clearing 1.47 meters.  Junior Kaelyn Hartman added a sixth-place finish in the triple jump (9.95 meters) and a ninth-place finish in the long jump (4.71 meters).

In the throws, senior Allison Standish was the top performer for Geneva, placing fourth in the weight throw with a toss of 14.15 meters, while adding a seventh-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 10.97 meters.  Sophomore Kyla Parks also threw well, placing eighth in both the weight throw (13.15 meters) and the shot put (10.56 meters). 

For the men, freshman Corban Hunter was the top thrower the Golden Tornadoes, placing ninth in the weight throw with an effort of 12.56 meters.

Saturday's meet was the lone indoor meet of this semester.  The bulk of Geneva's season will occur in the second semester, beginning with a meet on Saturday, January 17, at Muskingum.