PHILADELPHIA – The record books were hit hard on Saturday afternoon at Franklin Field, as the University of Pennsylvania track and field programs hosted the Penn Twilight against Villanova University.
 
A successful day for both teams, seeing countless shifts into top 10 times in program history. On the women's side, five different Quakers made jumps on the lists with first-place performances.
 
Freshman Isabella Whittaker took first place in both the 200m and 400m events. In the 200m, she matched her personal-best time of 23.76 for the victory and the second-best mark in program history. In the 400m, she bested her previous mark that held second in program history with a time of 52.50 to win the event by five seconds and inch closer to the record held by teammate Uchechi Nwogwugwu from 2018 of 52.27.
 
Melissa Tanaka had a strong performance in the 1,500m, taking first place by two seconds with a time of 4:19.64, a mark that is a personal best and fourth in program history.
 
Ariana Gardizy wrapped up the meet in the 10,000m, crushing her personal best time with a 34:45.57 for first place and the third-best time in program history. She was closely followed in by Danielle Orie with a time of 34:55.58 for second place and a time that was less than two seconds from a personal-best mark.
 
On the infield, Michelle Rubinetti solidified her pole vault prowess with another personal-best mark, clearing 3.82m (12'-6.25") for first place and moving her into fifth in program history. Tamara Grahovac also took first in her respective event, jumping 12.90m (42'4") in the triple jump for first place and moving her into second in program history.
 
The Quakers added first-place finishes for the day by Camille Dickson (100m, long jump), Skyla Wilson (400m hurdles), Claire Moreau (high jump), and Mayyi Mahama (hammer).
 
On the men's side, the record book was smashed in the mile by four Quakers. Senior captain Ryan Renken led the charge with a first-place finish of 4:00.68 to land him third in program history. He was followed in by Noah Carey in third with a time of 4:01.74 for fourth in history, James Lee for fourth with a time of 4:04.66 to sit sixth in program history, and Justin Cornetta at fifth with a time of 4:05.53 to move into seventh in program history.
 
At throws, Campbell Parker earned two victories in the hammer and the discus. His hammer throw of 57.64m on his fifth attempt marked a personal best and moved him into ninth in program history.
The men had a lot of top finishes for the evening, including Ben Kioko (javelin), Olatide Abinusawa (shot put), Dimitri Nicholson (100m), Emerson Douds (200m), Robbie Ruppel (400m), Jack Meigel (high jump), and Demetri Whitsett (long jump).