Minichello’s Javelin Victory Highlights Big Day For Bulldogs In Miami

Saturday, March 23

Coral Gables, FL

TBA

University of Georgia

Hurricane Collegiate Invitational

Minichello’s Javelin Victory Highlights Big Day For Bulldogs In Miami

March 23, 2024 | Track & Field

CORAL GABLES, Fla. --- Graduate student Marc Minichello opened his season with a bang at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational on Saturday, moving into the No. 11 spot on the all-time collegiate javelin performance list to lead the way for the Georgia track and field teams in Florida.

Minichello earned one of four Georgia victories at the Miami-hosted meet, recording a mark of 82.32 meters/270 feet, 1 inch to better his No. 2 javelin throw in school history. Junior Elena Kulichenko (high jump), sophomore Aaliyah Butler (200 meters), freshman Micah Larry (long jump), and the men's 4x400-meter relay team of Jordan McKenzie, Jehlani Gordon, Larry, and Christopher Morales Williams also won their respective events in the opening meet of the outdoor season for Georgia's sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers, and throwers.

Full Results: For results from this weekend's meet, please visit: https://gado.gs/bm1

The Lowdown: Minichello recorded a monster opening javelin throw of 82.32m/270-1 to begin his 2024 season with a dominant victory. The graduate student surpassed his nearest competition by nearly 20 feet to become the No. 11 all-time collegiate performer with the No. 31 collegiate performance in the javelin. Minichello currently holds this season's NCAA lead in the event and ranks second all-time in Georgia's record books.

In Georgia's first field event of the day, Kulichenko cleared the high jump bar on her first attempt at 1.88m/6-2 to secure her first win of the outdoor campaign. The Odintsovo, Russia, native moved into the NCAA lead with the top high jump mark this season, coming within ¾ inch of her personal best.

Butler cruised to victory in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.05, placing her in the NCAA lead. The sophomore crossed the finish line .35 seconds ahead of her closest competition as one of three Lady Bulldogs to place in the top 10. Fellow sophomore Haley Tate placed sixth with a time of 23.91 while freshman Karsen Phillips clocked a time of 24.20 to finish 10^th.

Freshman long jump duo of Larry and Zavien Wolfe each collected top-three finishes in their outdoor debuts. Larry claimed victory after shooting from third to first on his final attempt, leaping to 7.41m/24-3.75. Wolfe reached a mark of 7.20m/23-7.50 on his second attempt to earn bronze.

Larry continued his stellar day with the top collegiate finish in the 100-meter dash, crossing the finish line in fourth overall. His time of 10.25 places him at No. 10 on the collegiate leaderboard and No. 3 among freshmen. Graduate student Ali Elashmawi posted a ninth-place finish, including second among collegiate athletes, with a time of 10.48 in his Georgia debut.

The men's 4x400-meter relay squad of McKenzie, Gordon, Larry, and Morales Williams raced to a 3:13.12 finish to earn the fourth and final victory of the day for Georgia.

The women's 4x400-meter relay team of Zoe Pollock, Sydney Harris, Karsen Phillips, and Butler clocked the third-fastest time in Georgia history (3:33.00) to finish second in Coral Gables. The Lady Bulldogs' second relay team of Dominique Mustin, Haley Tate, Autumn Wilson, and Kieley Gayle finished closed behind in third with a time of 3:37.32.

Senior Charlotte Augenstein continued her ascent through the Georgia record books in the 800m, posting a personal-best time for the second-straight week (2:05.16) to move into fourth in school history in the event. Augenstein, who was ranked No. 6 in the 800m heading into this weekend, moved into the top five nationally with her performance. Gayle finished close behind Augenstein in fourth place with a personal record of 2:07.94.

Three Bulldogs placed in the top 10 of the men's 200m, led by a runner-up finish for Morales Williams. The sophomore posted a personal best 20.93 to open his outdoor season, with Gordon finishing close behind in fifth place (21.28). McKenzie clocked a time of 21.54 to finish ninth.

Mustin and Pollock both earned podium finishes in the 400-meter hurdles, posting times of 57.02 and 57.54 to place second and third, respectively.

The men's 4x100-meter relay team of McKenzie, Larry, Gordon, and Elashmawi clocked a time of 40.31 for a runner-up finish.

Gavin Beverage reached 18.00m/270-1 on his first shot put throw of the day to finish second in the event.

Sophomore pole vaulter Alon Rogow cleared the bar at a personal best 4.95m/16-2.75 on his second attempt to earn runner-up honors to open his outdoor season.

Phillips clocked a time of 11.73 to cross as the fifth collegiate finisher and ninth overall in the 100m.

What's Next For The Bulldogs?: The Bulldogs will split the squad for the first time this outdoor season next weekend. The distance runners will participate in the Raleigh Relays from March 28-30 while the rest of the team travels to LSU to compete in the Battle on the Bayou on March 29-30.

Where To Find Bulldogs News: Results and recaps from the Bulldogs' outdoor season will be found at georgiadogs.com. News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are always located on X/Instagram at @UGATrack.