As the winter sports season continues to unfold, the Stockton University men’s track & field team ventured north to showcase their prowess at the highly competitive John Thomas Terrier Classic, hosted by Boston University. This prestigious event, drawing participants from all three NCAA Divisions, including Division I Power 5 schools and track clubs, served as a challenging arena for the Ospreys.

One standout performance came from Erik Ackerman, hailing from Long Valley/West Morris Central. Ackerman not only smashed his own school record in the 3000m but also left an indelible mark on the competition by finishing an impressive 56th out of 192 runners. What’s more, he emerged as the sole NCAA Division III finisher in the top 85, catapulting himself into the 14th spot nationally. Ackerman’s stellar performance underscored not only his individual prowess but also the rising prominence of Stockton on the national stage.

In the intensely contested 400m, Santana Wittenburg from Monmouth Junction/South Brunswick secured the 58th spot out of 128 runners with a noteworthy time of 50.99 seconds. Right on his heels, Anthony Gentile from North Cape May/Lower Cape May claimed the 62nd position with a commendable time of 51.28 seconds. Both athletes not only showcased their speed but also established personal bests, signaling a promising trajectory for Stockton’s sprinting squad.

Joseph deBeaumont, representing Blackwood/Highland, demonstrated his mettle in the 800m by finishing 82nd out of 182 runners with a time of 1:56.12. Meanwhile, Carson Latham from Bordentown/Bordentown showcased his speed in the 200m, securing the 95th spot out of 189 competitors with a swift time of 22.96 seconds. These middle-distance performances added depth to Stockton’s overall display of talent.

Trevone Green, hailing from Rockaway/Morris Hills, took to the field events and asserted his dominance by securing the 10th position out of 21 in the triple jump with a distance of 13.37m. Green’s performance in the field events contributed to Stockton’s well-rounded presence at the John Thomas Terrier Classic.

With the John Thomas Terrier Classic now behind them, Stockton’s men’s track & field team is set to head to the NYU DIII Invitational at the New York Armory next Friday, February 2. As the Ospreys carry the momentum from their impressive performances in Boston, the upcoming meet promises to be another thrilling chapter in their pursuit of athletic excellence.