ORLANDO, Fla. — The Stetson track continued its season this past weekend with a short trip to Orlando to compete in the Black & Gold Challenge, hosted by the University of Central Florida.
Avery Sommers opened the meet in the women's 2K steeplechase, posting a time of 7:45. On the men's side, Zeke Galbraith followed with a strong showing in the same event, placing third in 6:08. Robbie Champa kept the momentum going in the 1500m invite, clocking a 3:57 to move into second all-time in program history.
The distance events continued with the 5K races. On the women's side, Hannah Judge led the Hatters with a runner-up finish in 17:40. Lucy Marquart placed fifth with a personal-best time of 18:00.11, while Madi Kerr-Wong (18:25) and Deanna Bottino (18:29) each recorded season-best performances.
In the men's 5K, Michael Petrovic paced the group with a time of 15:15, finishing 11th overall. Seth Singer (15:26) and Jonathan Pena (15:34) followed closely behind in their season debuts at the distance, while Tanner Pritchard rounded out the Hatters' competitors with a time of 15:53.
The highlight of the meet came in the men's 10K, where freshman Blake Young delivered a record-breaking performance. Young ran 30:44 over 25 laps, shattering the school record by 25 seconds. The mark adds to his impressive season, which already includes a 14:55 performance in the 5K at the Tampa Spartans Open.
Competition continued Saturday afternoon as the Hatters entered three runners in the 1500m open. Kenan Willard led the group with a time of 3:58, moving into third all-time in program history. Nicholas Zamora (4:05) and Haven Gronewold (4:09) also turned in solid efforts.
The Hatters will return to Orlando next weekend to compete in the UCF Knights Invite.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
