CHESTER, Pa. (March 29-30, 2024) – Sophomore Danny Jutras placed third in the 1500-meter run to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's outdoor track and field team at the two-day Danny Curran Invitational. The meet was hosted by Widener University its George A. Hansell Track.

Jutras ran a personal-best time of 3:58.26 to finish in third place, but first among non-Division I entrants. His time was over 10 seconds faster than his previous PR and the Wrentham, Massachusetts native currently sits atop the Middle Atlantic Conference leaderboard. Jutras' time surpassed the All-Atlantic Region Outdoor Track & Field Championship-qualifying standard. In addition to his performance in the 1500, Jutras finished seventh in the 800, setting a new collegiate best (indoor or outdoor) with a time of 1:58.03.

Joining Jutras in posting an AARTFC-qualifying time was senior Jake Aylmer. The Haddon Township, New Jersey native finished fifth, and second among Division III entrants, in the 1500 with a time of 3:58.68. The time was the second-fastest of his career and narrowly missed setting a new PR by just .56 seconds. Aylmer also placed 10th in the 800 (1:59.88).

Joining Jutras and Aylmer in posting regional qualifying times was senior Liam Concannon. The Cranford, New Jersey native finished 13th in the 10,000 with a time of 31:46.24 to set a new collegiate best. He ranks fifth in the conference.

In looking to build upon his solid indoor campaign, sophomore Brandon Kiefer finished fifth in the pole vault. The Severna Park, Maryland native cleared 4.15 meters to set a new PR by .05 meters (he cleared 4.10 meters at the 2024 MAC Indoor Championships). Kiefer also PR'd in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.68 seconds (His time at last year's MAC Outdoor Championships was faster (11.42), but it came with too strong of a tailwind (+2.1).

Top Performers

• Graduate student Ronnie Melao was the third Duck to finish inside the top-10 in the 1500. The Westfield, New Jersey native placed ninth with a time of 4:01.06.
• In the only relay contested by either the men's or women's outdoor squad at the meet, the men's 4x400-meter relay group of sophomore Mick Barbi, graduate students Andrew Donahue and Kajetan Leitner and sophomore Caleb Stephen, placed ninth with a time of 3:37.25. The time currently is fifth in the MAC.
• In his outdoor debut, first-year Chris Persico finished eighth in the pole vault, clearing 3.85 meters on his final pass. Sophomore Kyle Miller finished just behind Persico in ninth place with a mark of 3.70 meters, while junior Braedan Joyce was 10th with a height of 3.55 meters as three Ducks finished inside the top-10.
• In his official outdoor debut, first-year Justin Gajewski finished eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 12.78 meters on his fourth attempt to set a new PR.
• Junior Brandon Fox was ninth in the discus throw. The Wayne, New Jersey native reached 36.24 meters on his third attempt.

For the Opponents

• Two Division I programs and seven from Division II also competed in the two-day event. Interestingly, the nine teams combined for five event victories, with West Chester (Division II) checking in as the only "higher division" winner to win more than one event (2). Holy Family (II), Jefferson (II) and Saint Joseph's University each won one event.

Around the Middle Atlantic Conference

• Arcadia, DeSales, Hood, Lebanon Valley, Messiah and Misericordia joined Stevens and hosting Widener at the event.
• For Arcadia, Myles Sams was the top individual finisher, placing third in the triple jump with a mark of 13.09 meters on his first attempt. He was first among Division III competitors The Knights also produced a pair of relays ((4x100 – 43.42 seconds) and 4x400 – 8:31.99) that each finished sixth.
• Xavier Phoenix placed fifth in the long jump to lead DeSales' contingent of athletes. The senior touched 6.83 meters on his second attempt to also qualify for the All-Atlantic Region Outdoor Championships.
• Hood's Jamel Mins had a strong showing, posting two top-5 finishes. In the 100, he finished fifth with an AARTFC-qualifying time of 10.84 seconds. He also finished third in the 200 with a regional-qualifying time of 21.92 seconds. 
• Lebanon Valley only had a small contingent of athletes at the event. Joseph Chukoskie was the Dutchmen's top finisher, placing 11th in the 10,000 with a time of 31:40.04. Teammate Matthew Santana placed 14th in the same race with a time of 31:49.81. Both times surpassed the AARTFC qualifying standard.
• Messiah was also represented with a small smattering of athletes. Noah Calisti was the Falcons' top finisher, coming in 24th in the 10K with a time of 32.31.85.
• Misericordia largely sent its distance group to the event. Stephen Rowley led the Cougars with a third-place finish in the 10K, crossing the finish in 30:49.82. The time surpassed both the conference and regional qualifying standards.
• Thomas Flear was the top finisher for hosting Widener, finishing second overall, and first among DIII entrants, in the 10,000 with a time of 30:46.66. The time qualified Flear for the regional championships later this season.

Up Next

• Men's Outdoor Track & Field heads back to Pennsylvania for the Muhlenberg College Outdoor Invitational on Apr. 6. The appropriate event links will be posted to StevensDucks.com once available.

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