Track & Field Returns to Racing at TCNJ Lions Invite

Kylie Ritz Ties School Record in the 60-Meter Hurdles; Pierce & Callaghan Post ECAC/IC4A Qualifiers

New York, N.Y. – (January 9, 2026) – The Fordham track & field team returned to competition on Friday at the TCNJ Lions Invitational at the The Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. No team scores were kept.

WOMEN'S MEET HIGHLIGHTS

For the second straight meet, the Rams saw a school record performance, as Kylie Ritz tied the school record in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing second in the event in an ECAC qualifying time of 8.71 seconds. She matched the 2002 mark of 8.71 seconds by Heather O'Rourke.
Fordham had three event wins on the day, starting with Zoe Arakelian taking first in the high jump, clearing 5' 3". Jodie Pierce then won the 3,000-meter run with an ECAC qualifying time of 9:48.77, while the 4x400 relay team of Ritz, Nicole Lytle, Alexandra Williams, and Alondra Baez posted a winning time of 4:00.46.
On top of the relay performance, Baez was second in the 500 meters in 1:18.21 with Williams taking third in 200 meters (25.68) and Lytle being third in the 60-meter hurdles (9.03).
Leia Ruvo had a pair of top five finishes, finishing third in the high jump (5' 1") and fourth in the long jump (17' 8 ¾").
Alexandra Manetovic and Tomara Seid were both in the top five in the triple jump, placing third (36' 3 ½") and fourth (36' ¾"), respectively.

MEN'S MEET HIGHLIGHTS

The Rams added another IC4A Championship qualifier, as Kevin Callaghan placed sixth in the 500-meter run in an IC4A qualifying time of 1:05.93.
Callaghan was also a part of Fordham's top 4x400 relay with Dakota Strain, Eben Tyre, and Trevor Rinn that took third in 3:22.38.
Rinn added a third place finish individually in the 800 meters, posting a time of 1:58.43.
Kenan Andrews added another third place mark in the long jump event at 22' 7 ¾".
Michael Croke was fourth in the pole vault event, tying a personal-best by clearing 14' 5 ¼".
Menzel Thomas made the final of the 60-meter hurdles, taking fourth in a season-best time of 8.43 seconds.
Noah Rubenstein had the final top five finish for the Rams, recording a distance of 46' ½" in the shot put.

WHAT'S NEXT

Fordham is back at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory next Friday, January 16^th, at the Ramapo College Season Opener.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Kevin Callaghan: Sprints; 5' 8"; Senior

Michael Croke: Pole Vault; 5' 9"; Senior

Trevor Rinn: XC/Distance; 6' 2"; Senior

Dakota Strain: Sprints; 5' 10"; Junior

Menzel Thomas: Sprints/Hurdles; 5' 10"; Junior

Zoe Arakelian: Jumps; 5' 11"; Senior

Nicole Lytle: Hurdles; 5' 6"; Senior

Alexandra Manetovic: Jumps; 5' 8"; Senior

Kylie Ritz: Hurdles; 5' 2"; Senior

Leia Ruvo: Jumps; 5' 8"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Kevin Callaghan
: 5' 8"; Senior
: Sprints

Michael Croke
: 5' 9"; Senior
: Pole Vault

Trevor Rinn
: 6' 2"; Senior
: XC/Distance

Dakota Strain
: 5' 10"; Junior
: Sprints

Menzel Thomas
: 5' 10"; Junior
: Sprints/Hurdles

Zoe Arakelian
: 5' 11"; Senior
: Jumps

Nicole Lytle
: 5' 6"; Senior
: Hurdles

Alexandra Manetovic
: 5' 8"; Senior
: Jumps

Kylie Ritz
: 5' 2"; Senior
: Hurdles

Leia Ruvo
: 5' 8"; Senior
: Jumps