LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's track & field team broke a school record and had an individual champion at the Mini Dip Invitational on Saturday afternoon. That meet served as the team's final home competition before the Diplomats host the Centennial Conference Championship at the end of the month.
Tommy Tapino was the Diplomats' individual champion as he won the 5,000 meter race in a time of 15:48.42. Tapino, who was already one of the top individuals in school history for that event, won by nearly seven seconds over his closest competitor from Shenandoah. Tapino's victory was also the first event championship of his collegiate career with the Diplomats.
Franklin & Marshall's school record came in the 600 meters where Zach Houff crossed the line in a time of 1:22.67. Taking second individually, Houff's time broke the previous school record of 1:22.82 that was set by Alex Fillman '23 during his senior season. Houff was also the team's top finisher in the 400 meter dash as he placed seventh with a time of 52.94 seconds.
Leading individuals across numerous events for the Diplomats included Kenny Uchida (60m – 7.33), Jake Zion (200m – 24.94), Justin Harrison (300m – 38.54), Brian Mix (800m – 2:07.73), Sean Gorman (mile – 4:48.39), and Aiden Cotter (3,000m – 9:36.93). The 4x400 relay capped the day with a ninth place finish in 3:41.51 with the team of Josh Excell, Harrison, Zion, and Habib Oberoi.
In the field events, Greg Bruno was the team's top finisher in both the high jump (1.60m) and pole vault (3.65m). His clearance in the pole vault was a new personal best and placed him ninth overall in the field. In addition to leading the team in the sprints, Uchida was marked at 6.37 meters to claim fifth place in the long jump.
Austin Hadley was the team's top placer in the throwing events as he made the shot put finals, posting a mark of 13.58 meters during his best attempt of the day. Rookie Max David also had a strong showing in 17th with a mark of 11.84 meters. Dustin Stoetzel (14.18m) and Ben Ostroski (14.10m) both placed in the top 10 of the weight throw. Stoetzel's career PR solidifies his current position at No. 9 all-time in the school record book. Benjamin Ford just missed a third top 10 individual finish for F&M on the day with his best throw of 13.37 meters.
Men's track & field will have two more meets before the conference championship at the end of the month. The first of those meets will be next Saturday, February 14 when the Diplomats compete at the Susquehanna Invitational.
Franklin & Marshall Individual Champions and Record Book Performances
600 Meters
2. Zach Houff (1:22.67) – School record
5,000 Meters
1. Tommy Tapino (15:48.42)
Pole Vault
9. Greg Bruno (3.65m) – 10th in school history
Weight Throw
7. Dustin Stoetzel (14.18m) – ninth in school history
