MILWAUKEE – The men's Milwaukee track & field team competed in the final days of the Raleigh Relays hosted by NC State in Raleigh, N.C., as well as Illinois State's Joyce Morton-Kief Invitational held in Normal, Ill., Saturday.
 
RALEIGH RELAYS
 
"After a strong first two days, our group kept that momentum up heading into today," said head coach Andrew Basler. "In the men's long jump, Buford opened with a solid 7.20-meter leap. He showed continued consistency on his approach, which is key to any successful jump."
 
Anthony Buford, the reigning Horizon League Outdoor Freshman Field Athlete of the Year, cracked the top-five in the long jump, leaping 7.20 meters for a fifth-place finish. Kyril Griffin also competed in the event, jumping 6.58 meters.
 
"Our final event of the weekend, the men's 800-meter, did not disappoint," added Basler. "Wade, Sam, Harper, and Karsten all ran outdoor bests. With the exception of Sam who had to hurdle a fallen competitor 150 meters into the race, they all stuck their nose in the lead pack."
 
Three Panthers secured new outdoor career-bests in the 800-meter dash, with Karsten Grundahl leading the charge. The sophomore crossed the line in 1:52.86 (PR), followed by Wade Duffek (1:55.22 - PR), Harper Fahey (1:55.67 - PR), and Sam Schreiber (1:58.64).
 
"Being a Midwest program, there is not a lot of outdoor preparation before competing in the elements for the first time," said Basler. "This first outdoor weekend was a great opportunity to get outside and establish some benchmarks we will build upon throughout the outdoor season."
 
JOYCE MORTON-KIEF INVITATIONAL
 
"Battling cooler conditions, the team turned out some solid openers at Illinois State," said Basler.
 
Two members of the Black & Gold finished in the top-five in the triple jump, with Bishop Bufford coming in third (13.69 meters), and Olu Olu-Akintomide nabbing fifth (12.65 meters).
 
In the pole vault, Bradyn Thomas shined, clearing 4.38 meters and finishing fourth. Trevor Boyer was not far behind, grabbing seventh place with his 4.23-meter effort.
 
"Freshman Boyer had a strong opening hurdle race over the 42" hurdles," Basler added. "He will be in the 14's very soon."
 
Boyer also competed in the 110-meter hurdles where he ended third, crossing the line in 15.43.
 
Josh Cygan continued to have the hot hand for the Panthers to start the outdoor season, finishing runner-up in the discus throw. He recorded a 52.81-meter toss which is just shy of his career-best outing. Aiden Janke also competed in the event, throwing 42.63 meters.
 
"Another freshman, Matt Scardina, had an impressive day," Basler said. "The temperatures were not ideal, especially for a sprinter. Yet, Matt did not shy away from toeing the line in two sprint races to get his outdoor season started off strongly."
 
Scardina competed in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash at the meet, turning in times of 11.15 and 22.33, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Panthers look ahead to the Ashton May Invite hosted by UW-La Crosse at the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. The meet will begin at 11:00 a.m. in La Crosse, WI.