Indianapolis, IN – The NCAA Division I Men's Track and Field and Cross Country Committee announced the participants for the upcoming 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship preliminary competitions.
The Wagner men's track and field team, who recently won the program's first Northeast Conference (NEC) Outdoor Track & Field title, will be sending four student-athletes to Jacksonville, Florida for the preliminary competitions.
Josiah Cadet, William Cuthbertson, Michael Pepe, and Lutfi Pocesta will represent the Seahawks at the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship – East Preliminary, which begins on Wednesday, May 26, and runs through Saturday, May 29. Cadet, Cuthbertson and Pocesta will compete on Wednesday, May 26 while Pepe will be in action on Friday, May 28.
UPDATE [May 28, 2021]...
Cuthbertson raced in the 800m preliminaries in Heat #6, where he posted a time of 1:51.20. In the 400 hurdles,
Josiah Cadet turned in a time of 54.65.
Representing Wagner in the field events,
Michael Pepe launched the disucs 50.05m while Lutfil Pocesta tossed the hammer 55.22m.
"To have four athletes qualify for the NCAA East Regional is a huge accomplishment for our program," said head coach Joe Stasi. "It is a testament to the hard work of the four qualifiers and our team, as a whole, over the past three years. I couldn't be happier and more proud of them."
Cadet will be in action in the 400H after winning the event at the NEC Championships with a time of 52.34, setting a new school record in the process.
"Josiah is a hard-working young man who over the years has continuously improved," commented Wagner assistant coach, Ryan Budd. "This outdoor season was the first opportunity he had to run his main event and he took off since day one. He is having an outstanding season thus far and we hope to improve upon it at the NCAA East Regional meet."
Cuthbertson will compete in the 800m as he qualified among the top-20 runners in the nation in the event, after setting a new school with a time of 1:48.86 back on April 23 at the Wolfie Invitational. He posted a top-five performance at the 2021 NEC Championship.
"Will is a very talented runner and athlete," said Stasi. "He leads by example and has been a constant staple in our program, which has translated into the program's overall success."
Pepe won the discus event at the conference championship while setting a new school and conference record as the Matawan, NJ native launched the discus 55.73m. The throw broke the previous conference mark of 53.53, set by Evan Lasher of Sacred Heart in 2007.
"For a promising young athlete, Michael has stayed focused and composed, even in this shortened season. I believe he hasn't scratched the surface yet of his full potential," said Wagner assistant coach, Blerim Pocesta. "I believe he has many great moments ahead in his Wagner career."
Pocesta dominated in the hammer throw, taking first-place honors with a toss of 60.71m at the 2021 NEC Championships.
"Battling many obstacles, Lutfi stayed strong and accomplished a great personal milestone in qualifying for regionals," Pocesta stated. "On a personal level, I am so proud of my brother for achieving this goal in his athletic career."
