Winning big at the Muhlenberg Invitational

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Men's track competes at DeSales on April 13. Photo by Jem Berney '26.

On Friday, April 12, the track and field program hosted the Muhlenberg Invitational, an absolute triumph for the Mules. They set new school records in several events and displayed an impressive depth of talent across the board. The athletes’ hard work and dedication paid off as they showed skill and determination that left their competitors in awe.

The Muhlenberg track and field teams’ success continued on Saturday at the DeSales Invitational, where they faced stiff competition. Despite this, the Mules remained undaunted and brought their A-game to the field, again showing their mettle and strength. The performances were marked by excellent teamwork, coordination, and individual brilliance, with many athletes putting in personal bests.

The Muhlenberg track and field program had an unforgettable invitational day as two of its seniors, Dylan DeMagistris ‘24 and Faith Fezenko ‘24, made a great impact with their exceptional performances in their respective events. DeMagistris, with his remarkable hammer throw skills, launched a massive throw of 176-4, shattering the school record and cementing his position as the second-best thrower in the Centennial Conference (CC) history. Fezenko, on the other hand, was not far behind, with a throw of 153-10 that catapulted her to a coveted third place on the CC all-time list.

The achievements of these two athletes sparked a fire within the Mules, which went on to dominate the meet. Their success resulted from their individual talent, hard work, and the supportive and positive environment that characterizes the program. 

One of the athletes, Paola Navarro ‘25, shared her approach to practices and competitions, saying, “I keep a super positive mindset when practicing and competing. I try to treat practices and meets the same as much as I can, and it helps with nerves. It’s also so nice to have such supportive teammates, and even at my lows, I can easily get myself up and keep moving.” This spirit of positivity and support fuels the collective and individual successes of the Muhlenberg program.

Moreover, several athletes secured regional qualifying marks and set new records. Graduate student John Reichenbach, who recently landed third in the CC long jump history, continued his impressive performance by winning both the long and high jumps at the Muhlenberg Invitational. His outstanding performance earned him a tie for tenth place in the conference record books. In addition to Reichenbach, other athletes like DeMagistris, Fezenko, Noel House ‘24 and the electrifying 4×100 meter relay team, composed of first-years and a junior, showcased their exceptional talent by securing coveted regional qualifying marks. This collective effort highlighted the depth and talent the Muhlenberg program is known for.

Erica Borbi ‘25, another standout athlete from Muhlenberg, spoke highly of her team and coaches. “I owe so much to my teammates and coaches at Muhlenberg—they push me out of my comfort zone, support me, and have helped shape the person and athlete I am today,” she said. “My main goal this season is to go out and make them proud. Plus, competing in our conference championship at home is a huge motivator. We’re excited to defend our house and leave it on the track.” Having a support system makes or breaks a program, but with us mules, we are nothing short of nonstop support.

This is evident as success continued at the DeSales Invitational, where the Mules combined for an impressive 11 new or improved Centennial Conference qualifiers and five regional qualifiers. David Seel ‘27 and Jaden Snow ‘27 displayed exceptional talent by securing victories, while Mike Powel ‘26 and Noel House ‘24 flexed their muscles to triumph in their respective events.

The Muhlenberg College track and field team has been achieving outstanding results with its recent performances, setting a high bar for its competitors. The team comprises talented athletes who work hard and are determined to succeed- first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. For example, Shira Gamson’s ‘26 domination in the long and triple jumps, Maya Richwine’s ‘27 prowess in the 100 and 400 hurdles, graduate student John Reichenbach’s reign in the long and high jumps, and Maxwell Broadbent’s ‘27 entry into the all-time top 10 list in the triple jump at the DeSales Invitational.

The Muhlenberg track and field team is well-positioned for continued success with a committed coaching staff. Their impressive performances bode well for the remainder of the season, and it’s clear that they are a force to be reckoned with in the sport.

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