Young Patriots Make Strides Following Day One of the 2019 Patriot Games

Men's Track & Field 1/25/2019 8:42:00 PM

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FAIRFAX, Va. – Day one of the 2019 Patriot Games has concluded and freshman Cason Gardner surprised many throughout the night in the heptathlon events.

Gardner excelled, getting his first taste of the indoor heptathlon in his collegiate career.

The Mechanicsville, Va. native earned 3,029 points in the first four events of the heptathlon earning third place heading into day two with the final three events to go. Mason graduate student, John Seals, participated unattached and currently sits in first place with a total of 3,098 points.

"Gardner did a very nice job," head coach Andrew Gerard said. "It is always tough for your freshman to manage the full day the first time through, so it is as much as learning the event as it is putting on a good performance. He is going into day two above 3,000 points and that's always a good start. I'll be excited to see what he does on Saturday."

Gerard was also impressed with the long-distance runners on day one. On the women's side, freshman Siobhra O'Flaherty finished third in the women's 5,000m run (16:55.41), while junior Khalilah Hamer finished right behind her at fourth (17:15.62) for the Patriots. On the men's side, junior Andrew Carlin finished fourth (14:57.24) in the men's 5,000m run, while senior Ethan Newland finished fifth (14:57.59) for Mason.

"O'Flaherty and Hamer did really well," Gerard said. "For O'Flaherty to go under 17 minutes, that's really positive. Hamer has been making great progress each season, so it is great to see her continuing to stay on that pace. As for Carlin and Newland, they ran very well, especially the last 1,000 meters so that is a huge plus. They finished very well for us there at the end."

Gerard will be excited to see the throwers tomorrow, along with the 1,000m run and the 3,000m run.

"I was very pleased with day one and I am looking forward to day two."

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