Men’s Track & Field Wins Indoor PAC Championship

Written by Audrey Kough, Campus Sportswriter

Daniel Deal participating in a long distance event at the otterbein invite Jan. 21 (Photo credit: Regan Taylor Carlson)

On Feb. 23, the Washington and Jefferson College (W&J) men’s track and field team traveled to Youngstown, Ohio to compete in the Indoor PAC Championships Meet. The day turned out to be a huge success for the Presidents: they captured the team title, some athletes captured individual titles, and multiple awards were given out to the athletes and coaches. Not only was the day filled with excitement because of the awards, but history was also made that day: it was the first time in W&J’s history that the men’s track and field team earned the indoor conference title.

Nate Sciarro ‘24 took first place in the long jump with a mark of 6.78 meters, along with second place in the triple jump with a leap of 12.90 meters. Sciarro was then awarded Men’s Indoor Field MVP. When asked what the feeling of winning that award was like, Sciarro said, “It meant a lot to be able to collect that award... the conference championships were a special day, and to be able to have that individual success as well as our team’s success was a blessing to be a part of.”  

“History was also made that day: it was the first time in W&J’s history that the men’s track and field team earned the indoor conference title.” 

Sciarro also commented on how the team's dynamic affects what they are able to do in meets. He says, “We have a lot of individuals that are dedicated and want to be successful and work hard, and I think everything clicks for us at the right time.”  

“We have a lot of individuals that are dedicated and want to be successful and work hard, and I think everything clicks for us at the right time.”  

Anthony Cestaro, another W&J athlete, also earned success throughout the day of PAC Championships. Cestaro placed second in the 60 meters with a time of 7.04, setting a new school record in the event. Cestaro also placed fourth in the 200 meters event.  

Brock Pennington, Jake Sinclair, and Eli Westfort discussing at the Otterbein Invite Jan. 21 (Photo Credit: Regan Carlson)

When asked how the team prepared for PACs, Cestaro said, “We really didn’t change too much. We had already put in the workout throughout the season, and we just lightened the workload slightly [the week of PACS] and it allowed us to show up in the way we did.”  

Cestaro then reports on how the team plans to carry this great momentum into the outdoor season. He states, “I feel like we all feed off each other well, and the energy's never been higher [than] right now. We know we have the ability to perform outdoors, but we just have to maintain and get better.”  

Ian Baughman also had a great performance at PACs. Baughman finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.55 and took sixth in the 400 meters. The men’s 4x400 relay, with a team consisting of Cestaro, Julian Paul, Riley Runyon, and Baughman captured a first-place win as well.  

All in all, the members of the track and field team contributed immensely to help the team capture the victory. Coach Derek Workman gives some inside scoop to the track and field team. Workman says that the team is very young and they have a lot of potential finishing this season and for future seasons.  

“We were probably the best team all throughout the indoor season, but we had to show up that day and be the best team.  There is no regular season champion.” - Coach Workman

 

Coach Workman was also awarded PACs Men Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. When asked what he felt when he won the award, Workman says, “I could care less about that honestly... I always say it should be a Coaching Staff of the Year award.  My assistants did a phenomenal job this year, and they made me look good.”  

Assistant Coach Marty Vajen was just named the Mid-Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Workman elaborates on how he is surrounded by an amazing staff and amazing young people on the team.  

Workman also goes on to explain the significance of winning the championship by saying, “It was really special.  We were probably the best team all throughout the indoor season, but we had to show up that day and be the best team.  There is no regular-season champion, everything comes down to the championship meet.” The track and field team looks to continue its great success into the outdoor season.  

It was really special.  We were probably the best team all throughout the indoor season, but we had to show up that day and be the best team.  There is no regular-season champion, everything comes down to the championship meet.”