RALEIGH N.C./EASTON, Pa. – Graduate student Aziza Chigatayeva became the first Binghamton women's runner to break the 10-minute mark in the 3,000 Steeplechase (SC), highlighting Binghamton's performance in a pair of outdoor track & field meets this weekend. The Bearcats opened their 2023 outdoor campaigns at the non-scoring Raleigh Relays and Leopard Invitational (which was hosted by Lafayette).

Chigatayeva was the lone Bearcat to compete at N.C. State, but in a stacked field, she was third overall in the 3,000 SC with a time of 9:58.02. In the process, she broke her previous school record of 10:06.77, which she set at last year's NCAA East Regional Meet.

Chigatayeva's time is third overall in the current NCAA East Region rankings. The top 48 performances in the East Region will qualify for the NCAA East Region meet, which will be held May 24-27 at the University of North Florida.

Chigatayeva has qualified for three NCAA East Region Meets during her career in the 3,000 SC. She was 42^nd in 2019 (10:45.02), 23^rd in 2021 (10:25.12) and 16^th last year with her aforementioned time of 10:06.77.

The rest of the Bearcat squads competed at the Leopard Invitational on Saturday in rainy and windy weather conditions. The Bearcat men's and women's squad won a combined total of 13 individual titles and one relay crown.

While Chigatayeva was shining down at N.C. State, the Bearcats swept both the men's and women's 3,000 SC crowns at Lafayette. Senior Marty Dolan was first in the men's race (9:39.40) while fellow senior Carolyn Burnell won the women's event (11:41.86).

The rest of the men's winners included senior Ryan Guerci in the 1,500 (4:04.87), senior Adrian Rippstein in the 110 hurdles (17.01), senior Mark Scanlon in the 400 (50.93), freshman Samson Joseph in the 100 (11.22), junior Brandon Love in the pole vault (15-8 ¼) and senior Matthew Cavaliere in the 800 (1:55.51).

On the women's side, other individual winners included freshman Sydney Leitner in the 1,500 (4:55.90), fellow freshman Alyssa Armitage in the pole vault (11-5 3/4). senior Cecilia Maillet in the long jump and sophomore Zoe Rose in the 400 (1:04.10). In addition, the 4x100 relay team of junior Gabby Hyatt, freshman Angie Mesa-Espinosa, senior Sophia Morone and junior Jenna Chan clocked a first-place time of 50.40.

Up next for the Bearcats is another pair of meets next weekend – the Colonial Relays at William & Mary and the Towson Invitational. Both meets will be held Friday-Saturday,

TOP WOMEN'S FINISHERS – N.C. STATE
Aziza Chigatayeva, 3^rd, 3,000 SC (9:58.02) SC

TOP MEN'S FINISHERS - LAFAYETTE
Marty Dolan, 1^st, 3,000 SC (9:39.40)
Ryan Guerci, 1^st, 1,500 (4:04.87)
Adrian Rippstein, 1^st, 110 Hurdles (17.01)
Mark Scanlon, 1^st, 400 (50.93)
Samson Joseph, 1^st, 100 (11.22)
Matthew Cavaliere, 1^st, 800 (1:55.51)
Brandon Love, 1^st. Pole Vault (15-8 ¼)
Nick DeFelice, 2^nd, 3,000 (9:43.74)
Austin Wefer, 2^nd, 5,000 (15:25.84)
Spencer Thomas, 3^rd, Hammer (156-2)
Taiki Hirooka, 3^rd, 100 (11.32)
Wyeth Semo, 3^rd, 800 (2:00.14)
Fernando Toledo, 3^rd, 200 (24.82)
Kyle Gregor, 4^th, Hammer (151-3)
Evan Parise, 5^th, 100 (11.80)
Jaston Ormsby, 7^th, Hammer (133-11)
 
TOP WOMEN'S FINISHERS - LAFAYETTE
Carolyn Burnell, 1^st, 3,000 SC (11:41.86)
Sydney Leitner, 1^st, 1,500 (4:55.90)
Cecilia Maillet, 1^st, Long Jump (17-4 ¼)
Zoe Rose, 1^st, 400 (1:04.10)
Alyssa Armitage, 1st, Pole Vault (11-5 3/4) 
4x100 Relay, 1^st (50.40)
Hyatt, Mesa-Espinosa, Morone, Chan
Jennifer Mui, 2^nd, 3,000 SC (12:00.57)
Gianna Hoose, 2^nd, Hammer (143-2)
Jenna Chan, 2^nd, 100 (13.18)
Elisabeth Van Tassell, 3^rd, 3,000 (12:08.36)
Sheridan Talada, 3^rd, 1,500 (4:57.91)
Alison Getz, 3^rd, 200 (28.25)
Mallorie Turner, 4^th, Long Jump (15' 9.75)
Alepha Ferrer, 4^th, 100 (13.72)
Scarlett Jekic, 4^th, 5,000 (18:49.30)
Caroline Fatta, 4th, Pole Vault (10-0)
Juliana Tobin, 5^th, Weight Throw (140-5)
Jessica Prentice, 5^th, 200 (28.66)
Samantha Spano, 5^th, Long Jump (15-9 ¼)
Patricia Nester, 6^th, 200 (29.02)
Emily Gorczynski, 6th, Pole Vault (9-6 1/4) 
Nephlini Desrosiers, 7^th, Long Jump (15-4 ¼)
Donna Napolitano, 7^th, 200 (29.37)
Erin Waters, 8^th, Hammer (138-8)