UTICA, N.Y. - Junior Alyssa Richtarek and the men's 4x400 relay team both ran to victories, while two others were runner-ups for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) track & field teams, which competed in the Utica College Blue and Orange Invitational on Saturday. RPI's men's team was second of 22 schools that had competitors, while the women were fourth of 23.

Richtarek captured the 500 meters in a time of 1:21.13, which bettered the field of 12 others, including the runner-up who crossed the finish line in 1:21.83. The Engineers' lone men's victory came in the 4x4 relay, which featured Leighton James, Liam Pek, Luke Lyons and Alex Ryan, who combined to run a 3:28.17 to edge a squad from Fredonia who ran a 3:29.64. There were 22 4x400 relay teams.

Finishing second for the Rensselaer men, though he was first among attached participants, was junior Neil Casimir in the 400 meter dash, which he ran in 49.78. Benjamin Fairweather led the 39-competitor field with a 49.71. Sophomore high jumper Maya Verma also had a runner-up finish with an effort of 1.56 meters.

RPI had three individuals with third place finishes, including Jared Gridley in the 5000, Matthew Lecky and Morgan Lee in their respective miles, Madison Perez in the 800 and Mark Shapiro in the weight throw. Shapiro was followed immediately by teammate John Gonzalez, while Sierra West finished one spot behind Lee in the women's mile.

Ithaca College won the women's team title with 171 points. Lock Haven was second with 91.5, followed by Utica (65), Rensselaer (52) and Plattsburgh (47.5). SUNY Cortland earned the men's title with 131 points with the Engineers in second with 84. Ithaca was third (76), Saint Rose was fourth (60) and Utica was fifth (44).