Rowan men’s outdoor track and field team had a record-breaking weekend at The Penn Relays in Philadelphia, while the rest of the squad displayed an impressive showing at the TCNJ Lions Invitational in Ewing, NJ, on April 25 and 26. 

While there was no team scoring at the meets, the Profs put together top times over the weekend. Head coach Dustin Dimit was extremely pleased with the performance from both meets. 

“ We’re really happy with it,” said Dimit. “We had great weather the first day and then a lot of rain the second, but still a lot of season bests, a national record, and some national performances. Excited to see what we do now that we’re here in championship season.” 

The highlight of the weekend for the Profs was setting the Division III outdoor record in the 4×200 (1:25.04) as freshmen Julian Conigliaro and Rajahn Dixon, sophomore Elijah Hendricks, and senior Robert McKinney broke the record held by Dubuque in 2022 (1:25.74). McKinney knew the foursome was going to break the record, as they have broken the indoor record as well. 

“ It was a good feeling we went into it,” said McKinney. “We were kind of expecting that we’re gonna break it, knowing that we just broke the indoor record. We kinda had a feeling we were going do it. We just had to go out and execute. But it was still a good feeling to do.” 

Dimit stated that he wanted to see them break the record for the outdoor season since they broke the record for the indoor season. 

“ That was their goal since breaking it indoors,” said Dimit. “We were excited to be able to go out there and do that and get the outdoor record as well.” 

Another highlight of the weekend was fifth-year student Shamar Love’s performance in the 100 meters (10.62) at the TCNJ Lions Invitational. The Bridgeton native was excited to run this past weekend, knowing that it would be his last time running track. 

“ Not having the indoor season, knowing that outdoor is gonna be my last time running track, I’m pretty excited,” said Love.

Dimit has stated that he is proud of his team for overcoming all of the adversity that has been placed in the way of the team this season. 

“ We’re really proud of all the guys,” said Dimit. “They’ve bought in from day one and it’s sometimes hard in those early season meets. When it’s cold and we’re going out there, it’s just as much of a workout as is a race and they’ve persevered through that.” 

The Profs will be back in action this weekend as the team aims to win its 10th consecutive NJAC title as they return to TCNJ in Ewing, NJ, on May 3 and 4. McKinney, who will be competing in his last NJAC championship meet, is determined to win. 

“ This is my last NJAC, so I just go out there and just win it,” said McKinney.

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