COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University christened the newly named Wilf Schnier Alumni Classic with a lot of celebratory moments as the Comets put forth several program top-10 marks on the day while also hearing the news of a new indoor track & field surface to debut in the fall of 2026. Additionally, the team celebrated their three seniors prior to the start of running events. 

Some highlights of the day include…

WILF SCHNIER ALUMNI CLASSIC
New in 2026, the annual Alumni Classic hosted by Capital was renamed to bear the name of Wilfred K. "Bill" Schnier. Wilf was a 1966 Capital graduate who found himself among the program's school record board during his career. After a distinguished career, Wilf was inducted into the Capital Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. A small ceremony was held during the meet recognizing Wilf's family and former teammates to memorialize Wilf and his legacy left here at Capital and in the sport of track and field. 

NEW FIELDHOUSE SURFACE
Earlier in the day, and celebrated after the meet at the Capital Alumni House, Capital University announced plans to resurface The Capital Center Fieldhouse surface, including the indoor track. This project brings on an exciting new era for not only the track and field, but the rest of Capital Athletics and the rest of the student population at Capital. More information can be found here.  

SENIOR DAY
Prior to the running events beginning, Capital recognized the program's three seniors in what is their only home event of the season. Those recognized for their efforts throughout their careers were Maria Da Cunha, Zach Glotzbecker and Waylon Yeager. 

WOMEN
60-Meter Hurdles: Maria Da Cunha won the event in a fashion of 10.29 seconds, while Jersie Papacostas was close behind in 10.36 seconds, placing second. 

60-Meter Dash: Kaylee Jackson clocked a time of 7.97 seconds in just her second collegiate attempt, which was good to win the event and also move into third all-time at Capital. Jaleea Harvey finished second in 8.14 seconds – a time good to move her into eighth all-time at Cap. Larae Portis rounded it out for Capital, placing sixth in 9.21 seconds. 

200-Meter Dash: Isabella Johnson was the winner of the event, running a time of 27.62 seconds. Juli Sprague placed third overall, clocking a time of 28.98 seconds. Jaylin Bullock finished seventh in 31.45 seconds. 

500-Meter Dash: Maria Da Cunha clocked in a time of 1:20.72 in the 500-meter dash, a time good enough to move her up to second all-time in the event at Capital. 

800-Meter Run: Chloe Zarlino placed third overall in a time of 2:56.67. 

1,000-Meter Run: Shelby Janes finished top of the group in a time of 3:20.29. 

One Mile: Laney Tarr won the one mile run in a time of 5:24.08 which is good enough to set her third all-time at Capital. Catherine Schaub was next for the Comets in 6:09.06 and Jenavieve Vasquez was next in 6:27.63. 

4x200-Meter Relay: The Comet women won the event by 10 seconds over the Otterbein team, clocking in at 1:47.84. The Capital quartet was made up of Isabelle Johnson, Kaylee Jackson, Jersie Papacostas and Jaleea Harvey. 

4x400-Meter Relay: The quartet of Isabella Johnson, Juli Sprague, Kaylee Jackson and Maria Da Cunha clocked in at 4:19.89 to defeat the Otterbein team by 20 seconds. 

Pole Vault: Alex Wilkinson and Claire Robinson each vaulted a new personal best height of 3.30 meters to move into a tie for third all-time at Capital in the event. 

Weight Throw: Mia Sanchez tossed a distance of 12.22 meters to place eighth overall. 

Long Jump: Jersie Papacostas placed second overall with a top jump of 4.85 meters, while Larae Portis placed fourth with a distance of 4.47 meters. 

Triple Jump: Larae Portis won the event, jumping a distance of 9.54 meters. 

High Jump: In her first career collegiate high jump, Brooklyn Herbert cleared the bar at 1.40 meters to begin her tenure as a Comet high jumper. 

MEN
60-Meter Dash: Cheik Souare placed first overall in the prelims with a time of 7.07 seconds, while Leighton Kordack (7.16), Darron Robinson (7.17), and Demetre Wheeler (7.24) also qualified for the finals. William Dodd Jr. clocked in at 7.57 seconds in his prelim heat. Robinson's time of 7.17 seconds was good enough to tie him for 10th all-time in the event at Capital. Later in the finals, Souare won in a time of 7.04 seconds, with Robinson placing fourth in 7.29 seconds, Kordack fifth in 7.30 seconds and Wheeler in sixth in 7.33 seconds. 

500-Meter Dash: Neko Henry won the event in a fashion of 1:09.21, just two tenths off the program top-10 list.  

1,000-Meter Run: Braydon Nix was the top Comet in the field with a time of 2:42.72 to finish second overall. His time was also good enough to move him into eighth all-time in Capital history. Henry Taylor placed fifth in the event with a strong time of 2:47.21. 

One Mile: Justin Rona won the event in a time of 4:33.53 which is good enough to set him seventh all-time at Capital in the event. Ridwan Aliawl was next for Capital in 4:41.67, followed by Aiden Mahony (4:47.76), Dimetrius Floyd (4:48.85), Zach Glotzbecker (4:49.37), Jordan Hull (4:55.82), and Aaron McNutt (5:01.13). 

4x200-Meter Relay: The quartet of Leighton Kordack, Demetre Wheeler, Darron Robinson and Cheik Souare won the event in a time of 1:31.92, just narrowly missing a place on the program top-10 leaderboard. 

4x400-Meter Relay: The team consisting of Neko Henry, Cheik Souare, Darron Robinson and Leighton Kordack finished second with a time of 3:35.88. 

Weight Throw: Nolan Piper won the event with a heave of 16.29 meters, followed by William Dodd Jr. as the runner-up with a throw of 14.00 meters. Dodd Jr.'s throw was good enough to set him 10th all-time in the event at Capital. 

Shot Put: Nolan Piper placed third best in a distance of 13.76 meters. Waylon Yeager was sixth, tossing 12.84 meters, while William Dodd Jr. was eighth in 11.36 meters. 

UP NEXT
Capital will be back in action on Saturday, January 17th as they travel across town to the Otterbein Invitational in Westerville.