WASHINGTON – Georgetown University's track & field program started off the new year with their first meet of 2024 on Saturday, competing in the Nittany Lion Challenge hosted by Penn State.
 
Freshman Tinoda Matsatsa won again for the men, while Maya Drayton and Rebecca Ochan had impressive outings for the women.
 
ON THE RECORD
 
"First, I have to start with highlighting a very impressive performance from Freshman Tinoda Matsatsa beating a very competitive field in the 600m (1:16:68) to add a second consecutive win as a collegiate athlete.  Returning from Holiday Break and getting back into competition is always a challenge, with regular training routines interrupted. With that considered, the priority is for everyone who competed use this meet to build for the rest of the season. We look forward to continuing the work and progress towards a successful indoor season." - Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Alton McKenzie
 
RESULTS
 
Georgetown Men Results:

• Christopher Pitt started the day off for Georgetown, finishing fifth in the long jump event.
• The Hoyas showed out in the 600m, headlined by a first-place finish for freshman Matsatsa. Tim McInerney finished fifth in the event, with Ryan Mulrooney in seventh and Matthew Griffin in eighth.
• Senior Peter Herold finished fourth in the mile with a 4:08.84 time.
• Matthew Payamps started off his indoor season in impressive fashion, taking first in the 3000m by an eleven second margin with an 8:06.20 time.
• Joshua Paige won the 200m, with a 21.30 finish. He also took his heat in the 60m preliminary round, finishing sixth overall in the final with a 6.85 finish.
• The 4x400 team of Sean Hewitt, Nicholas Givan, Tim McInerney, and Tinoda Matsatsa finished in third place.
• Sophomore Nicholas Givan finished sixth in a competitive 400m race.
• Freshman Caleb Lakeman took seventh in the 1000m.

 
 
Georgetown Women Results

• A one two punch led the Hoyas to the 400m, with another victory on the year for  Drayton and a second-place finish for KC Ashiogwu. Grace Smiechowski finished eighth in the event to round out the Hoyas in the top ten.
•  Ochan had a strong showing in the 200m, winning her heat and finishing fifth overall. She ended with a 24.76, a collegiate best for the Georgetown junior.
• Two Hoyas finished in the top ten of the 600m, with Kaira Brown and Renee Newton finishing ninth and 10th, respectively.
• The 4x400 saw two Georgetown teams finish in the top ten: In fifth came Kaira Brown, Rebecca Ochan, Renee Newton and KC Ashiogwu, while Jadah Fitzgerald, Maya Drayton, Piper Rodgers, and Victoria Vidolova took eighth place.