2023 Season in Review: Track

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Kamila Soja spearheaded the success of the Nova Southeastern track team this past season. The sophomore earned a trip to the National Championship Meet, where she garnered second team All-American honors.

The Sharks kicked off the 2023 outdoor season with a dominant performance at the STU opener. NSU claimed first place finishes from David Manhke in the 5000 meters and Maya Espinosa in the 1500, and a handful of top-10 placements.  

Two weeks later, Kamila Soja secured an impressive victory in the 5000 meters at the Tampa Spartans Classic, defeating several Division I programs and Sunshine State opponents (Embry-Riddle, Florida Southern, Florida Gulf Coast, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint Leo, South Florida, and Tampa).  

Midway through the season, Soja picked up where she left off, securing a top-6 finish in the 10,000 meters at the Lee invitational against a deep field of Division I programs and Sunshine State Conference mates. Her time of 35:51.20 earned her a provisional mark for the Division II National Championship meet. 

The following week, NSU made a return to Saint Thomas University, this time competing at the STU Pre-Conference Meet. The Sharks were led by a trio of first-place finishers in Eden Toal (1500m), David Mahnke (1500m) and Meghan McNabb (5000m). 

As the season came to a close, Soja had one more opportunity at the Lee University Last Chance Meet to solidify a spot at the National Championship meet. And what did she do? Just that. The sophomore entered the meet ranked 37th in the NCAA DII rankings in the 10,000 meters, and took a minute off her PR en route to a second-place finish and a spot at the national meet in Pueblo, CO. Her time of 34:49.26 ranked her 18th in Division II in the 10,000 meters heading into the championship meet. 

After a blistering performance, Soja added another accolade to her impressive resume, earning USTFCCCA All-Region Honors in the 10,000 meters.  

Soja then went into the NCAA Division II National Championship Meet and left her mark. The Chiopee native concluded her season as a second-team All-American, becoming the second athlete in school history to be named second-team All-American and the first distance runner to earn the honor. She finished 9th in a field of 22 athletes, running a time of 35:41.17, her second fastest time this year.   

To stay up-to-date on Sharks Track, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSU_XCTF.   

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Soja, Mahnke Pace Sharks at East Coast Relays

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s track teams competed at the University of North Florida on Friday evening. The Sharks were led by Kamila Soja, who garnered a third-place finish in the 5000 meters. 

How it Happened

(Women’s) 

Kamila Soja claimed third place in the 5000 meters with a time of 17:09.80. 

Maya Espinosa was the first Shark to cross the line in the 1500 (23rd/4:41.98). Eden Toal (24th/4:42.37), and Ally Jakubiak (36th/4:48.67) rounded out the top three finishers for NSU.  

How it Happened

(Men’s) 

David Mahnke led the way for NSU in the 5000 meters (23rd/15:23.55). 

Adrien Zambaux ran a seasons best 4:11.68 in the 1500 meters. 
 

What's Next

The Sharks will race again on Saturday, May 13 in Cleveland, Tn. Events are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. 

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Sharks Set to Race at UNF Invitational

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s Track team is set to race at the UNF Invitational. The meet is slated to begin on Friday, April 28 with events scheduled to conclude on Saturday, April 29.

Breakdown

(Women’s)

The Sharks will have four runners in the 1500 meters, with McKinzie Winget, Eden Toal, Maya Espinosa and Ally Jakubiak all taking part in the event. Toal is coming off a first-place finish in the 1500 meters at the STU Invitational on April 14th. Espinosa (1st), Jakubiak (3rd) and Espinosa (5th) have also had success in the 1500m throughout the season.

Additionally, Kamila Soja will be competing in the 5000 meters for NSU. Soja has had a dominant season thus far, earning a provisional qualifying mark for the Division-II National Championship in the 10,000 meters.

Breakdown

(Men’s)

Jan Schmeid and Adrien Zambaux will be running in the 1500 meters for NSU. Zambaux is coming off a sixth-place performance in the 1500m at the STU Invitational on April 14.

In addition, the Sharks will have David Mahnke competing in the 5000 meters. In the 2023 season, the sophomore has earned a first-place finish in the 5000m along with a pair of top-15 finishes in a trio of appearances.

What's Next

The Sharks will travel to Jacksonville, Fla. to compete in the UNF Invitational on Friday, April 28. Events are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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NSU Competes at STU Invitational

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s track teams competed at the STU Pre-Conference Meet on Friday afternoon. The Sharks were led by a trio of first-place finishers in Eden Toal (1500m), David Mahnke (1500m) and Meghan McNabb (5000m).
 
How it Happened
(Women’s)
Eden Toal (1st/4:44.70) earned the top-spot in the 1500-meter race. Ally Jakubiak (3rd/4:50.83), Kamila Soja (4th/4:51.06) and Maya Espinosa (5th/5:01.18) also placed inside the top-5 finishers.
 
Meghan McNabb picked up a victory in the 5000 meters, finishing with a time of 23:06.72.
 
Ally Jakubiak (4th/2:28.41) and Julianna Bassano (8th/2:37.18) finished inside the top-10 of the 800 meters, earning points for the Sharks.
 
Kayla Wommack (6th/28.30) and Emma Fitch (9th/31.58) also earned top-10 finishes inside the 200 meters.

How it Happened 
(Men’s)
David Mahnke (1st/4:05.67) won the 1500 meters. Michael May (3rd/4:15.54), Thor Eriksson (5th/4:19.87), Adrien Zambaux (6th/4:26.90) and Sebastian Tenorio (8th/4:27.69) rounded out the top-10 finishers for NSU.
 
Jan Schmeid (6th) earned a top-10 finish in the 800 meters, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:56.48.
 
What's Next
The Sharks will race again on Friday, April 28 in the UNF Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla. Events are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
 

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Sharks Conclude Action at Hurricane Alumni Invitational

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s track teams competed at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks were led by a top-7 finish from McKinzie Winget (7th/1500m) and a pair of top-10 finishers in Jan Schmeid (10th/1500m) and Thor Eriksson (10th/800m).
 

How it Happened

(Men’s)

Jan Schmied (10th/1:57.59) led the way for the Sharks in the 800 meters. 

Sebastian Tenorio (16th/2:04.69) and Holden Decker (17th/2:06.19) rounded out the top-20 finishers for NSU in the 800.

Thor Eriksson (10th/4:15.89) earned a top-10 finish in the 1500 meters, Michael May (11th/4:17.41) and Justin Haber (14th/4:24.13) also finished inside the top-15.

How it Happened

(Women’s)

McKinzie Winget finished 7th in the 1500 meters with a time of 5:06.07.

Mackenzie Scordato (9th/5:14.03) and Megan Winterbottom (11th/5:15.92) completed the top-3 finishers for NSU in the 1500.

What's Next

The Sharks will compete again in the STU Pre-Conference Meet on Friday, April 14.

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Soja Leads Sharks at Lee Invitational

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s track teams raced at the Flames Invitational on Friday evening. The Sharks competed against several Division-I opponents (Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Dayton, IUPUI, Lipscomb, Eastern Kentucky) and multiple Sunshine State Conference mates (Florida Southern, Embry-Riddle, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint Leo, Tampa). Nova Southeastern was led by Kamila Soja, who earned a top-6 finish in the 10,000 meters and a qualifying mark for the Division II National Championship meet.

Coach's Corner

 ” We are so happy Kamila. She was fighting a cold and it was 51 degrees and raining, and she walked away with a national qualifying time. Im very proud of what she did and doing all this in these conditions, it’s incredible what she can do”, said Head Coach Bryan Hagopian.

Breakdown 

(Women’s)

Kamila Soja placed top-6 in the 10,000 meters, finishing with a time of 35:51.20.

Maya Espinosa (22nd/4:50.38) led the way for the Sharks in the 1500 meters. Eden Toal (33rd/4:53.87), Christina Adams (47th/4:59.25) and Ally Jakubiak (50th/5:00.97) rounded out the top-50 finishers for NSU.

Breakdown 

(Men’s)

David Mahnke (67th/15:24.27) finished first in the 5000 meters for NSU, Joseph Salerno (89th/15:46.53) and Adrien Zambaux (95th/15:51.88) completed the top-three finishers for NSU. 

What's Next

The Sharks will race at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, April 8th, in Miami, Fla. 

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Sharks Compete At Spikes Classic

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s track teams competed at the Spikes Classic on Friday evening. The Sharks were led by a trio of top-10 finishers in Lucas Mardis (4th/5000), Eden Toal (7th/1500), and Maya Espinosa (8th/1500).

HOW IT HAPPENED (Women’s)

The Sharks had a pair of top-10 finishers in the 1500 meters, with Eden Toal (7th/4:43.25) and Maya Espinosa (8th/4:43.57) picking up points in the event. Ally Jakubiak (16th/4:50.29) and Kamila Soja (20th/4:52.08) rounded out the top-25 finishers in the 1500 for NSU. 

Meghan McNabb finished 13th in the 5000 meters with a time of 21:03.55.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Men’s)

Lucas Mardis earned a top-4 finish in the 5000 meters, crossing the finish line with a time of 16:45.42.

David Mahnke (11th/4:01.67) led the way for NSU in the 1500 meters, earning a top-12 finish.

UPCOMING

The Sharks will compete again on Friday, April 7 at the Flames Invitational in Cleveland, TN. Events are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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Sharks Complete Action at Hurricane Invitational

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s Track teams competed at the Hurricane Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks were led by a pair of top-10 finishers in Jan Schmied (7th/800m) and Ally Jakubiak (9th/1500m).

HOW IT HAPPENED (Women’s)

Ally Jakubiak (9th/4:52.65) earned a top-10 finish in the 1500 meters.

NSU added a pair of top-12 finishers in the 800 meters with McKinzie Winget (11th/2:37.79) and Grace Moriarty (12th/3:03.93).

HOW IT HAPPENED (Men’s)

Jan Schmied (7th) paced NSU in the 800 meters, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:58.05.

Michael May III (11th/2:02.42) and Evan Crisp (12th/2:02.93) also finished inside the top-12 in the 800 meters.

UPCOMING

The Sharks will compete again on Friday, March 31 in the Spikes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

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Sharks Kick Off Day One At Hurricane Invitational

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Men’s and Women’s Track teams kicked off running at the Hurricane Invitational on Friday afternoon. The Sharks were led by Kamila Soja, who finished in second place in the 3000m.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Women’s)

Kamila Soja earned a second-place finish in the 3000 meters, crossing the finish line with a time of 9:56.53, nearly 20 seconds ahead of third place.

Eden Toal (4th/10:22.48), Maya Espinosa (5th/10:23.93) and Ally Jakubiak (6th/10:24.46) rounded out the top-6 finishers for NSU in the 3000 meters..

HOW IT HAPPENED (Men’s)

The Sharks had a pair of top-5 finishers in the 3000 meters, with David Mahnke (3rd/8:50.76) and Joseph Salerno (4th/8:51.93) posting sub-nine-minute times.

Adrien Zambaux (7th/9:08.46), Thor Eriksson (9th/9:32.38) and Justin Haber (10th/9:42/71) earned top-10 finishes in the 3000 meters.

UPCOMING

The Sharks will conclude the Hurricane Invitational on Saturday, March 18 at Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Fla.

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Soja Leads Sharks At Tampa Spartan Classic

TAMPA, Fla – The Nova Southeastern Track team competed at the Tampa Spartans Classic Friday evening. NSU was led by Kamila Soja, who secured the victory in the 5000 meters. The Sharks competed against their Sunshine State opponents and several Division 1 programs (Embry-Riddle, Florida Southern, Florida Gulf Coast, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint Leo, South Florida, and Tampa). 

HOW IT HAPPENED (Women’s) 

Soja claimed victory in the 5000 meters, running a time of 17:07.80, eight seconds faster than second place. 

Maya Espinosa (13th/18:18.70), and Eden Toal (14th/18:18.99), rounded out the top-15 finishers for NSU in the 5000 meters.  

Megan Winterbottom earned a top-15 finish in the 1500, finishing 14th with a time of 5:05.74. 

Emma Fitch finished 8th in the 400 meters, running 1:12.80.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Men’s) 

Trey May (11th/4:17.67) and Sebastian Tenorio (13th/4:19.76) were NSU’s top two finishers in the 1500. 

Jan Schmied (8th/1:56.47) earned a top-8 finish in the 800 meters. 

David Mahnke finished 14th in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:13.20. 

UPCOMING 

The Sharks will next compete at the Spring Break Night Meet on Tuesday, March 14, in Miami Gardens, Fla.    

To stay up-to-date on Sharks Cross Country, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSU_XCTF 

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