The Valparaiso University track & field programs began the 2025-26 indoor season on Friday by competing in the Blue-Gold Invite, hosted by Notre Dame.
How It Happened
- In the throws, sophomore Michael Tarasiewicz (Tinley Park, Ill. / Andrew) had a top-half finish and established a personal record with a shot put of 14.45 meters, placing seventh of 14. On the women's side, senior Amelia Tandy (New Albany, Ind. / New Albany) was the top Beacon in both the weight throw (12.87m) and shot put (11.40m).
- In the distance events, Valpo had a combined four top-5 finishers in the men's and women's 800. Junior Noah Meacham (Tulsa, Okla. / Broken Arrow) led the way with a runner-up finish at 1:55.95, while junior Alejandro Chaves (Bayamon, P.R. / American Military Academy) joined him in the top five in the 15-runner field with a fifth-place finish of 1:59.17.
- In the women's 800, it was junior Laetitia Raoult (Guingamp, France / Florida International) finishing as the runner-up in 2:21.61, while freshman Vanessa Parsons (Valparaiso, Ind. / Morgan Township) took fourth in 2:25.81.
- Staying with the distance group, freshman Braden Hoff (New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln-Way Central) and sophomore Kensington Black (Franklin, Ohio / Franklin Senior) had top-10 finishes in the men's and women's mile at 4:21.85 and 5:15.00, respectively.
- In the men's 500, Ferdinand Rosa (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico / American Military Academy) finished third with a time of 1:03.96.
- In the sprints, junior Taylor Pusateri (Portage, Ind. / Genoa-Kingston) finished the women's 60 in 28th of 53 with a time of 9.06 seconds, while Tim Whitelaw (Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine South) started his senior season with a time of 7.14, 27th of 55. Senior Anthony Vassolo (Tinley Park, Ill. / Andrew) finished in the top half of his 300 race, clocking 35.69 seconds to cross 12th of 26.
Up Next
The multi-event athletes will compete in the John Gartland Invitational, hosted by Indiana State, on Dec. 12-13 in Terre, Haute Ind.
