By Mary Stoudt
Ferrum College - for the first time ever - competed in an indoor track and field meet hosted by Virginia Military Institute at the VMI-Corps Physical Training Facility on Jan. 30, 2021.
(Ferrum sophomore Genesis Pineiro (left) and Ferrum junior Dom Philpot (right) competed during their individual events. Photo courtesy of Ferrum Athletics.)
A total of 17 men and women athletes competed for Ferrum at the indoor meet. Ferrum Sophomore Dazon Harrison finished ninth in the 400-meter dash, who is now ranked 14th nationally among NCAA Division III athletes. Harrison also placed seventh in the 200-meter dash and is currently ranked 17th in the nation for the 200-meter.
10 other Panthers also placed in the top 10 for their event during the meet, including Alberto Pineiro (ninth-ranked in men’s 500-meter), Seth Shaffer (seventh-ranked in men’s 500-meter), and Genesis Pineiro (eighth-ranked in women’s 800-meter and sixth-ranked in women’s 1000-meter).
Ferrum also had two relay groups that finished in the top-10 at the meet. Freshman Roy Garcia, Sophomore Clay Smith, Sophomore Kevin Tate, and Sophomore Domonique Veney placed second in the men's 4000-meter DMR. Sophomore Genesis Pineiro, Freshman Seth Shaffer, Freshman Quvadus Spratley, and Sophomore Domonique Veney placed fourth in the 4x400 relay.
Cross Country and Track Head Coach Mark White, senior Elina Baltins, and Harrison spoke with Director of Athletics John Sutyak for a Facebook live meeting after their meet. During the meeting, White, Baltins, and Harrison expressed their excitement for being able to participate in the track and field meet while at Ferrum.
“The track program has been a year in the works and to start this program from scratch it means more than I can probably say, my hope and dream is that this program grows,” White said.
When speaking with Sutyak, Baltins reflected on her past experiences and expressed her gratitude for this unique opportunity.
“Just the fact that I was given this opportunity to do it again I am incredibly grateful for the whole experience,” Baltins said.
Harrison spoke about his times at the meet and discussed ways to improve them. He was also excited about participating in the sports again, after transitioning from a football player to a full-time member of the track team at Ferrum.
“I felt really honored and grateful to represent Ferrum at their first indoor track meet,” Harrison said.
The Panthers will have another meet on Mar. 13 at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. To learn more about the track and field program, you can contact Mark White at mwhite2@ferrum.edu.