Men's Track and Field | January 10, 2019

PHILADELPHIA – After the Explorers showed tremendous individual success in 2018, the La Salle University men's track and field team opens up the 2019 season at Fordham's Brian Horowitz Invitational on Friday. La Salle will be led by an experienced group of middle distance runners and a talented group of newcomers and hurdlers this season.
 
Junior Anthony Hawthorne is back for the Explorers after a sensational sophomore campaign in which he won two Atlantic 10 Conference outdoor titles, one IC4A indoor title and an appearance at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Hawthorne was a national semifinalist in the 800 meters during the outdoor season after claiming gold in the 800 and 4x800 relay at the A-10 Championships, and during the indoor season he won the IC4A 800-meter crown while setting the school record in the event.
 
Senior Nathan Gillis and graduate student Nick Smart, who competed on the cross country team with Hawthorne in the fall, are back for another season with the Explorers as well. All three were members of the 2018 4x800-meter relay team that won gold at the A-10 Outdoor Championships. Gillis also finished fourth in the mile at the A-10 indoor meet while teaming up with Smart and fellow returnee Luke Jaciw-Zurakowsky for a silver medal in the DMR as well.
 
Sophomore Dylan Burnett took home three 110-meter hurdle titles during his freshman season. He and junior Ache Hall both placed in the 60-meter hurdles at the A-10 Indoor Championships last year. La Salle also adds junior Darian Alston to the field, a triple jump specialist who spent his first two years at Penn State, as well as Dennis Manyeah, who transferred from Eastern Michigan.
 
The Explorers will also get a boost in the distance category led by freshman Ibrahim Kedir. Kedir was the A-10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer and was La Salle's top finisher at the league's cross country championship in October, placing fourth. The rookie also recently qualified to represent Team Canada at the World Cross Country Championships. Overall, head coach Tom Peterson brings on 11 newcomers to the squad for 2019.