YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Allegheny men's track and field team opened the second semester by facing off against competition from all three NCAA classifications at the Youngstown State Invitational.  The large field featured more than 1,200 athletes representing 30 colleges.
 
The Gators' afternoon was highlighted by a trio of veterans in the 3,000 meter run who were competing in their first track event of the 2017-18 season.
 
Senior Carter Smith led the way, as he placed fifth overall in a field of 49 runners – and first among Division III competitors – with a time of 8:36.76.  It established a new personal record for the perennial all-conference performer, while it ranked as the 11th fastest performance in the event in the nation by a Division III runner this season.
 
Classmate John Hughes finished just behind Smith, taking sixth overall (and second among D-III runners) with a time of 8:40.27.  It was his second-fastest performance in the event for his career, while it stood as the 18th best effort in the event in the nation this season.
 
Junior Matt Svetz closed out Allegheny's strong triumvirate in the 3,000, as he shattered his previous personal record in the event by 17 seconds, finishing 15th overall – and third among D-III competitors – with a time of 8:50.07.

A pair of seasoned veterans also led the way for the Gator sprint contingent.  In the 60 meter dash, senior Andre Bryan posted a time of 7.13 seconds to take 16th in a field of 63 runners, and first among D-III competitors.  Fellow senior Allen Baugh, who clocked in at 7.23 seconds in the 60 to take 23rd, paced the Gators in the 200 meter dash, finishing 19th in a field of 80, and second among D-III runners, with a time of 23.09 seconds. Sophomore Sean Parenti also finished in the top half of the field, placing 39th with a time of 23.77 seconds, just ahead of senior teammate Bennett Falck and his time of 23.77.
 
Bryan turned in the Gators' top effort in field events, as his mark of 6.41 meters in the long jump placed 13th in a strong field of 43, while it also was the top effort among the 10 Division III athletes who competed.
 
The duo of junior Kurtis Williams and rookie Noah Parker led the way in throws, as Williams placed 17th in a field of 46 (and first among D-III throwers) in the weight with a throw of 14.83 meters, while in the shot put, Parker's top heave of 12.34 meters placed 28th overall in a field of 60, and third among 12 D-III competitors.
 
The Gators will return to action on Saturday, January 27, when they travel to Ohio to take part in the Wooster Fighting Scot Invitational.