Thompson, Hoskins, and Van Orden Break Program Records at Dr. Sander Scorcher

Friday, January 23

New York, N.Y.

10:00 a.m.

Columbia University

Dr. Sander Scorcher

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.

Thompson, Hoskins, and Van Orden Break Program Records at Dr. Sander Scorcher

1/24/2026 7:58:00 PM | Track and Field

Multiple personal bests and first-place finishes highlighted the weekend at the Armory

NEW YORK — The Columbia Track & Field squad had a successful weekend competing in the Dr. Sander Scorcher at the Armory.

First-Year Mia Hoskins reset her own school record in the women's weight throw, posting a mark of 18.07m. Junior Jessica Thompson cleared a personal-best 4.10m to top the school's performance list in the women's pole vault.

Junior Jacob Van Orden represented Columbia in the men's 800m pro-elite race, finishing fifth overall with a time of 1:48.21 to set the school record

On the track, Senior Edward Blaha highlighted with a first-place finish in the men's 5000m, clocking a personal-best 13:49.36. Senior George Blaha added a third-place showing in the same event, also setting a personal best at 14:04.35. In the men's mile, Junior Ben Bergey recorded a personal-best 4:02.08 to place third and currently ranks 60th nationally.

Columbia's middle-distance runners continued the momentum in the 800m. Junior Nicholas Hayden finished fifth in the invitational section with a personal-best 1:51.60, followed by Junior Justin Gottlieb in sixth. Earlier in the event, Senior Austin Rios-Colon placed fifth with a PR of 1:56.17, while First-Year Jackson Downin followed closely in seventh.

The Lions also found success in the sprints, led by sophomore Caden Cutchall, who earned third place in the seeded 400m with a time of 49.28. Senior Josiah Williams added a seventh-place finish in the invitational section. In the 200m seeded race, senior Matthew Mazero and Senior Zach Willen both placed fourth, with Willen also posting a personal-best 7.08 in the 60m.

On the women's side, Sophomore Katie Norman finished fifth in the 60m, posting a time of 7.90, while Sophomore Olivia Sterling recorded a personal-best 7.97 to place ninth. In the women's 400m open, Senior Kaylee Bennett posted a personal-best 1:01.90 for ninth, followed by Sophomore Roya Amirhamzeh in 10th with a time of 1:01.91.

In relay action, the men's 4x400m team of Cutchall, Zach Willen, Matthew Mazero, and Comfere secured a third-place finish, crossing the line in 3:18.61.

In the women's distance events, first-year Ava Malagisi and junior Leanna Johnston each posted personal-best performances in the 5000m, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Field events rounded out the day for the Lions, highlighted by junior Jessica Thompson, who cleared a personal-best 4.10m to place second in the women's pole vault, a mark that ranks 37th nationally.

Sophomore Madison Williams added a second-place finish in the women's long jump, while sophomore Rocco Carpinello earned third place in the men's long jump with a mark of 7.32m.

On the men's side, junior Parker Kim capped off the field events with a podium performance, placing third in the men's weight throw with a throw of 20.16m.

UP NEXT
The Lions are hosting the Mets Indoor Championships on Friday, January 30. The meet is set to start at 10am.

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