Photo courtesy of Sports Information
By Abby Condon, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna University men’s track and field 2020 spring season featuring 10 senior athletes was, like all others, unexpectedly cancelled due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. These seniors study a variety of subjects but all have a passion for their sport in common.
Donovan Gayles, senior sprinter and jumper, placed seventh in the long jump of 6.40m and 11th in the triple jump of 11.60m at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships. Gayles said the missed season leaves him without closure.
“I feel incomplete. I was looking forward to the spring season this year and not being able to finish is disappointing but understandable in the circumstances we are in,” Gayles said.
Gayles also said his time on the team has left him with great memories.
“My overall experience was great! I made many friends and got much better as the years went on. If I had the chance, I would definitely repeat my experience competing for SU track and field,” said Gayles.
Senior sprinter Mikah Christian from Bowie, Maryland studies sports media and he hopes to be employed in a collegiate or professional sports position. As an athlete, Christian competed in the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships, finishing 20th overall in 60m with a personal record of 7.55.
Another senior sprinter is Andrew Debastini whose recent accomplishments at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships included making the Landmark Winter All-Sportsmanship Team and placing fourth in the 4x200m relay with a time of 1:35.98 and 19th place overall in the 200m run in a blazing time of 24.80.
Senior Captain Dylan Heisey said his overall experience at Susquehanna was “amazing”
“I’ve had two different head coaches but that never changed how amazing being on the team was,” Heisey said.
Heisey placed 15th in the weight throw of 15.40m, and 26th in the shot put of 13.36 at the 2019-2020 Indoor AARTFC Championship in field events and made All- Landmark Second Team in the shot put with a throw of 14.11m and the weight throw with a distance of 15.83m.
Senior Kashief Hyatt from Upper Marlboro, Maryland studied anthropology during his academic career at Susquehanna University. As a first-year track competitor for the Riverhawks, Hyatt competed in the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Conference finishing fifth overall in shot put of 12.85m throw, and a personal record of 13.10m set in January 2020. Fellow Senior Thrower, Devon Lindeman competed in 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Conference finishing ninth overall in the weight throw with 13.39m and 14th in the shot put with 10.75m. This marketing major hails from Freemansburg, Pennsylvania.
Senior Robert Marks from Mount Holly, New Jersey competed in jumps, sprints, and throws, placing fourth in the long jump with 6.76m and fifth in the high jump of 1.73m at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships. Marks said his time on the team introduced him to new people.
“I made friends with guys who I would have never thought could connect with, overall my athletic experience was one for the books,” Marks said.
NCAA heptathlon qualifier and three-time Landmark Field Athlete of the Week, senior Chris Petraskie competed in the USTFCCCA All-Mideast Region Championships in heptathlon and long jump and finished in tenth place.
At the AARTFC Championships, Petraskie placed second in the heptathlon with 4,893 points and set both a school and personal record. A first-team All Landmark Conference selection in high jump, long jump, Petraskie was also a second-team All Landmark Conference selection in the triple jump..
Senior sprinter Danial Shelton hails from District Heights Maryland, studies business administration and has been instrumental in Susquehanna University sprints and sprint relays, recently honored as a second-team All Landmark Conference selection in the 4x100m relay at 2018-2019 Landmark Championships.
Senior thrower Spencer Smith from Clementon New Jersey, also competed in 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships and placed 10th in the shot put with 11.27m throw. Smith’s future plans are to pursue a career in the Sports Media world with an emphasis in Digital Multimedia.
Senior captain Heisey said he hopes athletes will appreciate the time they have in their sport.
“These are some of the best moments of your life, and you should take every second to live in the moment.”
