Men's Track and Field 3/28/2025 9:47:00 PM

Ephs Shine at Emory Thrills in the Hills Classic

ATLANTA, GA - The Williams College Men's Track and Field team continued their momentum over spring break during the first two days of the 2025 Emory Thrills in the Hills Classic on Thursday, March 27th, and Friday, March 28th, held at Emory University. After many strong showings and several new personal bests, the Ephs have established themselves as a powerful force going forward through the rest of the outdoor season.

On day one, the fearless trio of Oak Sullivan '28, Brady Stahelski '27, and Joseph Kouame-Waldman '26 had the first five events of the Decathlon. Beginning with the 100m, each achieved new college personal bests, with Sullivan finishing in 11.01s, Stahelski in 11.11s, and Kouame-Waldman in 11.56, placing 1st, 3rd, and 6th, respectively. Next was the Long Jump, where Sullivan placed 1st with a mark of 6.51m (21' 4.25"). Stahelski was not far behind, achieving a new personal best of 6.35m (20' 10") to place 2nd. Kouame-Waldman finished in 5th with a jump of 5.97m (19' 7"). In the Shot Put, Kouame-Waldman threw a personal best of 11.35m (37' 2.75") to place 2nd. Sullivan and Stahelski were right behind in 3rd and 4th place, throwing marks of 10.61m (34' 9.75") and 10.36m (33' 11.75"). After was the High Jump, where Sullivan obtained a college personal best of 1.79m (5' 10.5"), placing 2nd. Stahelski and Kouame-Waldman finished with marks of 1.67m (5' 5.75") and 1.61m (5' 5.35"), placing 4th and 5th. Concluding day one of the Decathlon was the 400m, where Sullivan won the event with a time of 50.83s. Stahelski finished 3rd with a time of 51.66s, and Kouame-Waldman in 8th with a personal best of 55.65s.

The second day of the Decathlon began with the 110m Hurdles. Stahelski and Sullivan placed 2nd and 3rd with times of 15.76s and 15.83s. Kouame-Waldman achieved a personal best of 19.34s to place 7th. Next was the Discus Throw, where Stahelski placed 2nd with a mark of 31.49m (103' 4"). Sullivan and Kouame-Waldman were not far behind, both setting new personal bests of 29.95m (98' 3") and 27.80m (91' 2") to place 3rd and 4th. In the Pole Vault, Sullivan, Stahleski, and Kouame-Waldman jumped 3.85m (12' 7.5"), 3.55m (11' 7.75"), and 3.35m (11'), placing 2nd, 5th, and 7th, with Stahelski achieving a personal best. After was the Javelin Throw, where Stahelski and Sullivan went 1st and 2nd with marks of 56.01m (183' 9") and 49.29m (161' 9"). Kouame-Waldman finished in 3rd, obtaining a personal best of 40.80m (133' 10"). The final event of the Decathlon was the 1500m, where Sullivan finished with a time of 4:46.54 to place 1st. Kouame-Waldman and Stahelski got times of 5:10.13 and 5:22.28, placing 6th and 9th. Overall, Sullivan and Stahelski finished their collegiate debut in the Decathlon in 1st and 2nd place, with a total of 6485 and 6133 points, putting them at #5 and #10 on the Williams' all-time leader board. Kouame-Waldman finished in 5th with a total of 5157 points, setting a new personal best.

On the field, Jordan Davis '28 and Michael Fay '27 both had strong showings in the javelin, throwing 49.37m (162' 0") and 44.31m (145' 4"), respectively. Davis also competed in the discus, throwing 37.21m (122' 1"). In the hammer, Fay threw a mark of 33.48m (109' 10"). To kick off the sprints, Bryce Cooper '26 placed 3rd in the 400m hurdles, running a personal best of 54.99. Next up was the 200, featuring Oscar Newman '25, Yanni Kakouris '27, Nathan Corrielus '27, and Devesh Khamitkar '28. Newman set a personal best of 21.53, securing the #5 spot on Williams' all-time leader board. Kakouris ran a time of 22.48, followed by Corrielus and Khamitkar who both ran collegiate bests of 22.86 and 23.26, respectively.

In the 1500 invitational, Tom Emery '27 placed first and ran a new collegiate best of 3:54.89. Ethan Striff-Cave '27 also competed, finishing with a time of 4:11.85. Next was the 3000m steeplechase where Nikhil Denatale '26 finished 4th with a time of 9:47.90 and Henry Alexander '27 finished 5th with a time of 9:57.91. Rex Bedwick placed 2nd in the 5000m open, running a collegiate best of 16:11.38. To wrap up the day, Emil Nelson '28, Rick Yanashita '26, Malcolm Oakes '28, Avery Allen '27, and Eli Welch '28 raced in the 5000 invitational. Nelson placed 2nd running a time of 14:51.64, followed closely by Yanashita and Oakes who ran times of 14:53.25 and 15:03.77, respectively. Allen finished with a time of 15:27.47 and Welch ran 15:30.79.

After a great day full of outstanding performances, the Ephs will conclude their efforts in Atlanta tomorrow on the final day of the Emory Thrills in the Hills Classic. The men will then have a few weeks to train, with their next showing being the UMASS Flagship Invitational on Saturday, April 12th, in Amherst, MA.

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