SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse distance runners opened their outdoor season at the Raleigh Relays with impressive performances.
Junior Beatriz Fernandes set a personal record in the women’s 5,000-meter race, finishing in 17:21.83 and winning her section by 12 seconds, according to the Daily Orange.
Freshmen Carmen Luisi and Gretta Johnson also competed, placing second and seventh in their section. Their strong finishes outpaced Fernandes on the overall timesheet, showcasing the team’s competitive spirit.
Strong Showings Across Events
On the men’s side, freshman Charles Guerrera won Section 4 of the men’s 5,000-meter race with a time of 14:08.13, placing 47th overall. His performance stood out among teammates Tristan Thruneyesen and Asher Danielson, who did not make the top 150.
Junior Ruben Rojas Betanzos and sophomore Connell Alford competed in the 10,000-meter event. Betanzos narrowly missed a higher placement by one-thousandth of a second against Eastern Kentucky’s Cosmas Kiprop, finishing 67th, while Alford came in 79th.
In the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, junior Julian Franjieh finished 18th overall in 8:48.03, while sophomore Omar Alsaidi placed 62nd. Freshman Mackenzie Cook represented the women, avoiding last place by six seconds with a time of 11:35.94.
Looking Ahead
The Syracuse track and field team will continue their outdoor season next week, traveling to the Stanford Invitational on April 3. Part of the team will remain in New York for the Red Dragon Invitational the following day, showcasing the program’s depth and talent.
This strong start to the outdoor season reflects the momentum of spring sports in Central New York. With warmer weather, local events are ramping up, promising more exciting competitions in the coming weeks.
As the Onondaga Creekwalk opens and farmers markets return, residents can enjoy the lively atmosphere of spring in Syracuse. The track team’s success adds to the excitement as local athletes make their mark nationally.
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Sources
- Daily Orange