Yale Athletics

The Bulldogs split last weekend, sending a few athletes to Wake Forest while the rest stayed behind to race at Yale’ home track. 

Wake Forest Invitational 

On Friday, April 18, the Bulldogs joined a competitive field of athletes in Winston-Salem, N.C. for the Wake Forest Invitational. 

Their southern competition typically performs well given their ability to practice outdoors year-round. 

“This was the meet to chase some PRs (personal records) before we enter the championship season,” Gloria Guerrier ’27 wrote to the News. 

Guerrier took the opportunity to PR and crushed it. Her time of 59.02 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles earned her first place and a Yale All-Time top three mark. Guerrier now ranks No. 31 in the East and No. 58 for this event. 

Lucija Grd ’27 continued her success streak, placing second in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.99 seconds.

Winslow Atkeson ’26 followed suit, taking fourth in the steeplechase against a competitive heat. His time of 8:51 ranks him No. 22 in the East, despite just missing his personal best. 

“There were PR’s across the board, and I think that’s because we really used each other as encouragement to produce that ‘domino effect’ of great performances,” Guerrier wrote to the News. 

Mark Young Invitational

The following day, the Bulldogs dominated the Mark Young Invitational at their home track. 

Both the men and women’s 1500 meter racers showed out under the warm spring sun.  

Matthew Schutzbank ’28 took first for the men’s team, setting a new PR of 3:52.17. He outkicked Guy Stevens ’27 and Seb Sutch ’28 who came in just behind.

“We also had a pacer, Kenan Pala ’26, through the first 1000 meters who did a phenomenal job of getting us in a spot we needed to be to close,” Schutzbank wrote. “I think that is also a big testament to the kind of team culture we have – guys are more than willing to do whatever they can to help teammates run fast.”

On the women’s team, Daniella Henderson ’27 placed first in the 1500 meters, setting a new PR of 4:25.27. Kalista Villatoro ’27 and Kylie Goldfarb ’25 came in just behind her, taking second and fourth, respectively. 

Anjali Yella ’28 also ran well, racing the 400 meters in 58.04 seconds and the 200 meters in 25.29. Her effort earned her first place in the 400 meters and two personal bests in one meet. 

Looking ahead

Next week, the Bulldogs will take on the Penn Relays in Philadelphia on April 24-26 and the Ken O’Brien Pre-Conference Meet in Amherst, Massachusetts on April 26. 

A group of distance runners on the men’s team will be representing Yale in one of the most competitive races nationally at the Penn Relays.  

“The last time Yale sent a team in the 4xmile Championship of America was 2013, when we placed fifth. And the last time we won was 1902,” Schutbank wrote, “Everyone is excited to see the boys represent Yale on the big stage.”

On May 10, the Bulldogs will take on the Outdoor Ivy Heptagonal Championships on their home track in New Haven.