Senior Collin Ray (Middletown, Pa. / Middletown Area) set a new school record in the shot put as the Robert Morris University men's track & field team competed in the University of Virginia Invitational last Saturday.

Ray's toss of 16.70 meters was good enough for second in the event, while his throw of 51.59 meters in the hammer throw gave him another second place finish. The senior's record-breaking toss in the shot put also qualified him for the IC4A Championships, which are held in Princeton, N.J. between May 10th through 12th.

In addition to Ray, freshman Mark Ayitey (East Pittsburgh, Pa. / Woodland Hills) earned his invitation to IC4A's in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 53.80 seconds, placing him second in the event.

Junior Chris Carper (Altoona, Pa. / Altoona) was the Colonials' lone first-place finisher on the day, taking gold in the javelin with a throw of 68.42 meters.

Ray wasn't the only thrower who placed in the top three of his event. Senior Stephen Mitchell (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Pittsburgh Central Catholic) finished right behind his fellow classmate in the hammer throw with a toss of 51.34 meters.

Another senior, Chuck Thurner-Diaz (Camp Hill, Pa. / Camp Hill), had a mark of 49.29 meters on his best attempt in the hammer throw - good enough for fourth. Thurner-Diaz also added a fifth-place finish in the shot put with a toss of 15.82 meters.

Senior Tyler Morton (Silver Spring, Md. / Springbrook) missed the IC4A qualifying time in the 110-meter high hurdles by .02 seconds, as he clocked in a time of 14.86 seconds. However, Morton's time was good enough for the second spot in the RMU record book.