WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University track & field program finished in third place on the women's side and in sixth place on the men's at the conclusion of the 2023 BIG EAST Indoor Track & Field Championships Presented by JEEP in Chicago, Illinois. Georgetown won five individual titles across both the men's and women's events.
 
ON THE RECORD
 
"We responded extremely well and had a fantastic second day at these Championships. Having the Outstanding Track Performer for Men & Women being from the Hilltop speaks volumes and highlights the quality we have in our program. One of the major highlights on the Women's side was Melissa & Katy-Ann working together running smart races to go 1-2 in the mile and coming back to be key pieces for yet another Hoya win in the Women's 4x800. Also I think Maya Drayton had her best meet yet as a Hoya winning the 400 and taking 2nd in the 200 with Personal Best times in both; adding a great anchor leg on our 4x4 to finish 4th.
 
Highlight on the Men's side had to be Josh Paige breaking his own school record and the Big East 200m Record, dipping under 21 for the 1st time running 20.99 seconds.
 
We're pleased with the energy and moment built from these Championships and look forward to building on that; possibly with a few of our athletes potentially competing at the NCAA Championships. For the rest of the team using this momentum to take us into the Outdoor Season." -Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Alton McKenzie
 
"The women's middle and long distances competed at a very high level. A close runner-up in the 800 from Jensen, 1-2 finish for Riggins and McDonald in the Mile, a close 2-3 finish in the 3000 for Gonzalez and Claeson, the win from Scrimgeour in the 5000m, and a win in the 4x800 were the high water marks in a weekend full of them. All six of those individuals mentioned set personal bests in those top-3 podium finishes with Riggins' facility record in the mile and 4x8 anchor carry earning her co-track performer of the meet. These types of finishes and times in a championship setting are the direct result of selfless and gritty mentalities - sharing the lead, leaning in and betting on themselves when the races get very tough. They are a testament to the culture of the program past and present." - Assistant Coach for Track & Field Mitchell baker

"I thought Abel Teffra, Matt Rizzo and Camden Gilmore all executed really good races. It wasn't enough to win but they were racing some of the best people in the NCAA and they are hard to beat. The 4x800 also did a great job to win again." - Assistant Coach for Track & Field Brandon Bonsey
 
 
RECAPPING THE WOMEN (3rd of 9; 99 points)

• In the mile, Melissa Riggins and Katy-Ann McDonald stole the show taking first and second place, respectively. Riggins grabbed 10 points for GU with a time of 4:37.07 and McDonald secured another eight points with a time of 4:37.42.
• Riggins was also named the Women's Most Outstanding Performer in Track Events.
• Maya Drayton was crowned champion in the 400m with a time of 54.44. Drayton's first-place finish secured 10 points for GU.
• Grace Jensen took second in the 800m with a blazing time of 2:05.55. Jensen grabbed eight points for GU with her finish.
• GU had two top-five finishes in the 200m with Drayton taking second with a time of 24.11 and Jadah Fitzgerald taking fifth with a time of 24.39. Drayton picked up eight points for GU and Fitzgerald added another four.
• The Hoyas had two more top-five finishes in the 3000m with Chloe Gonzalez taking second with a time of 9:11.25 and Andrea Claeson taking third with a time of 9:11.33. Gonzalez secured eight points and Claeson added another six for GU.
• In the 4x800 relay the team of McDonald, Pippa Nuttall, Jensen and Riggins ran a blazing time of 8:38.73 which secured a first-place finish for the team. The first-place finish earned GU another 10 points.
• In the 4x400 relay the team of Renee Newton, Fitzgerald, Grace Smiechowski and Drayton grabbed a fourth-place finish with a time of 3:47.44 which was good for five points.

RECAPPING THE MEN (6th of 8; 71 points)

• Paige was crowned champion of the 200m with a blazing time of 20.99. This time breaks Paige's own school record of 21.07 which he equaled a few weeks ago. Paige earned 10 points for his first-place finish.
• Paige was also tabbed as the Men's Most Outstanding Performer in Track Events.
• In the mile, Matt Rizzo finished in third with a time of 4:00.25 which earned GU six points.
• In the 60m Hurdles, Malachi Quarles grabbed a fifth-place finish with a time of 8.20. Quarles earned GU four points with his finish.
• In the 60m, Joshua Paige finished in fourth with a mark of 6.86 which secured five points for GU.
• In the 800m GU grabbed two top-five finishes with Abel Teffra finishing third with a time of 1:48.85 and Matthew Payamps finishing in fourth with a mark of 1:49.75. Teffra earned GU six points and Payamps secured another five.
• Camden Gilmore finished third in the 3000m with a time of 7:57.60 which earned GU six points.
• In the 4x800 relay, Owen Johnson, Parker Stokes, Payamps and Rizzo were crowned champions after their incredible race that saw them run a blazing time of 7:26.25. GU earned another 10 points for the first-place finish.

 
UP NEXT
The Blue & Gray will be back in action at the NCAA Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event will be on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11.