BALTIMORE, Md. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's and women's track & field teams began the outdoor portion of their seasons with success as both squads earned victories at the Goucher Track & Field Classic. The men compiled 223 points and the women had 289. Catholic University was second in the women's meet with 100 points and Bridgewater College (Va.) was the men's runner-up with 114 points.

RPI had 13 victories, including 11 by individuals and two relays. Among the events in which the programs had dual winners was the 100/110 Hurdles, which were won by Dainara Veeder (16.66) and Alex Jonson (15.36), respectively. Rensselaer also had two winners in the 1500 meters as Maddie Sturm (4:57.03) captured the women's race and John Reed (4:09.27) won the men's. Reed was nearly four seconds in front of the runner-up (4:12.52) with teammates finishing in third, fifth, sixth and seventh.

Freshman Ileana Sirois was first in the triple jump (10.58) while also finishing second in the 100 Hurdles (16.82) and third in the long jump (4.91). She was one spot ahead of teammate Emily Vallee (9.49) in the triple and one behind teammate Jillian Salkind (4.95) in the long jump.

The Engineers also had a dozen second place finishers, including Isabel Caplazi (4:58.53), who trailed only Sturm in the 1500, and Michelle Murray (40:05.87), who was second to teammate Kassie Kromish (39:04.64 in the 10000 meters. RPI had each of the top three finishers and four of the first five in the 10k. Samantha Smirk (2.60) was second to teammate Emma Brown (2.60) in the women's pole vault as Rensselaer boasted the top three finishers with Sarah Shirk (2.30) placing third.

Rensselaer's men's 4x100 relay team of Zaire Wilson, Temedayo Kamson, Patrick Butler and Evan O'Berg won in a time of 44.61, while the women's 4x400 team won in 4:26.86. Making up the women's squad was Madison Perez, Katie Clark, Joey Lyons and Jordan Porter. Individually, Perez won the 800 meters (2:25.79) and Clark was second in the high jump (1.42).

Sophomore Neil Casimir captured the 400 dash (50.15) and he was part of the second place 4x400 relay team (3:31.62), which included Butler, O'Berg and Raymond Rivituso.

John Gonzalez was victorious in the shot put (13.52) and Aurora Freedman won the javelin (36.93). Freshman Justin Park was second in the men's javelin (50.55).

Rensselaer is back in action on Saturday at the Tufts University Snowflake Classic in Massachusetts.