GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Building off a historic showing, the Panthers added seven more career-best performances and three top-10 finishes to close out the meet. Florida Tech also welcomed back a familiar competitor for his first indoor race of the season, while another Panther made his debut in the Crimson and Gray.
In his second indoor campaign, Ben Peckopened his season in the 3,000 meters with a personal-best time of 8:31.57, good for third place. Tyler Herrera also earned a top-10 finish in the event, clocking an 8:54.58 to place eighth.
Speed highlighted the 60-meter dash, where eight Panthers competed and five recorded new personal bests. Mikey Roberts continued an outstanding weekend, running a 7.17, the third-fastest time in program history and the quickest ever by a Tech freshman, to lead the group with a 23rd-place finish. Ese Oguma and Bradley Erskine Jr. followed closely in 24th and 25th, while Erskine, Gavin MacCoy, Alex Moynihan, and Shawn Immanuel also posted career-best times.
In the 800 meters, Jason Hargesheimer and Filippo Bessi placed inside the top 20, finishing 14th and 19th, respectively. Brycen Haner delivered one of the biggest improvements of the meet, shaving 13 seconds off his personal best with a 2:00.93 performance.
The meet concluded with the 4x400-meter relay, where Tech's "A" squad of Roberts, Oguma, Bessi, and newcomer Malachi Johnson raced to an indoor program record of 3:18.00, the second-fastest time in school history across both indoor and outdoor competition.
In the field events, Santiago Flórez-Tascón Gamero recorded a throw of 11.44 meters in the shot put, finishing 20th.
UP NEXT:
Florida Tech men's track wraps up the indoor season at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center on Friday, February 6, at the Gainesville Classic.
