Blake and Matusz Set Meet Records at Harvard

Saturday, December 2

Cambridge, Mass. / Gordon Indoor Track

11:00 AM

Dartmouth College

Ivy & HBCU Challenge

J'Voughnn Blake racing on Day Two of Heps Championship

Photo by: Doug Austin

12/2/2023 9:42:00 PM | Men's Track & Field

Results

Blake won the 600m race and Matusz won the 1000m race

By: Nick Romei

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Several records were broken on Saturday as the Dartmouth men's track and field team opened its season on Saturday. J'Voughnn Blake and DJ Matusz set meet records in the 600m race and 1000m, respectively, at the HBCU & Ivy Challenge.

"Track is back and our men have been excited to finally compete," said Porscha Dobson Harnden, the Marjorie & Herbert Chase '30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country. "The HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) & Ivy Challenge, an idea birthed by Jason Soresky, the director of Harvard track & field, and his staff is in its third year. The meet becomes more competitive and enjoyable for the athletes each year.

This is a special meet for all four teams because of the storied history and progression of each institution. I look forward to the continued development of this meet as the connections the athletes are beginning to build with other teams. We traveled a small squad of Dartmouth men, but their impact and performances were mighty. Our men placed top three in six of the seven events we entered while winning four of those events. It's an exciting time for Dartmouth Track & Field."

Blake won the 600m race with a time of 1:18.43 while Matusz won the 1000m race with a time of 2:25.34.

Michael Gabriel and Ben Pable finished first and second in the weight throw with throws of 18.81m and 17.62m. David Walker, competing in his first collegiate meet, took fifth with a toss of 14.87m. Gabriel also took third in shot put, throwing for a distance of 13.87m.

Sam Starrs and Ethan Hughes went 1-2 in the pole vault, clearing 4.55m and 4.40m, respectively. Jack Intihar cleared a lifetime best 4.25m in his first collegiate meet, taking fourth.

First-year Adrien Jacobs also ran in the 600m race, finishing with a time of 1:19.26, good for second in the event.

Rahul Batlanki finished third in the long jump with a distance of 6.85m.

The Big Green took third with a team score of 78 points. Howard won the meet with 108 points.

Additionally, Albert Velikonja ran at Boston University in the 5000m run, finishing with a time of 13:58.18.

"The Sharon Colyear Danville Season Opener [at Boston University] attracts the best NCAA distance runners across the country including individual and team national champions from every division," said Dobson Harnden. "The team and I were excited for Albert to compete as we've watched him improve throughout the cross country season."

Dartmouth is back in action next weekend for its first of three home meets this season. The Dartmouth December Invite is scheduled to begin with multis events on Friday, Dec. 8, with the remainder of the meet taking place the following day. Live results will be available through Triangle Timing.