The John Carroll University men’s track and field team took off running in their first appearance of the 2019-2020 season. 

The Blue Streaks competed in unscored split squad meets at Youngstown State and Case Western Reserve on Dec. 6 and 7.

The first event at the Youngstown State Icebreaker was the 60-meter race, where the Blue Streaks showed a strong presence among many Division I schools. 

Junior Michael Johnson made his career debut as a member of the team, posting a time of 7.11 seconds — good enough for 15th place. Johnson also claimed a 17th place finish in the 200-meter dash. 

In the 400-meter race, Garrett Clark shattered the current school record in the event, finishing seventh with a time of 49.32. The record was previously held by Will Cameron from 2016. 

On the distance side, senior Matt Hallgarth finished eighth in the 5000-meter run with a final time of 15:44.41. 

The 2019 National Division III indoor long jump champion Hayden Snow did not disappoint for the Blue and Gold at the Icebreaker. Snow kicked off his senior year campaign by bringing home first place in the long jump with a mark of 7.40 meters.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Blue Streak throwers and pole-vaulters traveled across town to participate in the Spartan Holiday Classic at Case Western Reserve. 

In Zach Szafarski’s first collegiate meet, he won the first place honors in the shot put event with a mark of 13.14 meters. Senior Nick Vuono took second place in the weight throw competition with a 14.62 meter mark. 

Many other Blue Streaks placed in the event as well. Junior Jacob Fritsh placed fourth, freshman Peter Stopinski fifth and Szafarski sixth. 

The Blue Streaks will be back in action once more before break on Dec. 14 when they travel to Kent State.