Wake Forest Returns to Action for Pair of Meets

Thursday, April 9

Durham, NC

Wake Forest University

Duke Invitational

4/9/2026 1:42:00 PM | Track and Field

The Demon Deacons will be competing in both the Duke Invitational and the Hurricane Alumni Invitational on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11.

By: KJ Smith

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Following a two week break from competition, the Wake Forest track and field program will be back in action for a pair of meets this weekend, competing in both the Duke Invitational and the Hurricane Alumni Invitational.

The Duke Invitational will be held on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, at the Morris Williams Track in Durham, N.C. Live results will be updated throughout the meet via FlashResults and will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.

Meanwhile, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational will take place at the Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Fla., and will run on Friday and Saturday as well. Live results for the Hurricane Alumni Invitational will be updated throughout the competition via PrimeTime Timing.

Need to Know
Friday, April 10
Duke Invitational (9:30 a.m.)
Morris Williams Track - Durham, N.C.

Hurricane Alumni Invitational (10:00 a.m.)
Cobb Stadium - Coral Gables, Fla.

Saturday, April 11
Duke Invitational (11:00 a.m.)
Morris Williams Track - Durham, N.C.

Hurricane Alumni Invitational (10:30 a.m.)
Cobb Stadium - Coral Gables, Fla.

Competing for the Deacs (Duke Invitational)
Women

Men

Competing for the Deacs (Hurricane Alumni Invitational)
Women

Last Time Out
The Demon Deacons are coming off a stellar performance at the Raleigh Relays, highlighted by junior Angelina Perez setting a new school record in the women's 10,000 meters.

Perez powered through a downpour to record a time of 32:45.71, helping her secure a ninth-place finish. With the result, the Ringwood, N.J., native now holds a pair of school records, having previously claimed the school record for the women's indoor 5000 meters during the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.

Senior Mackenzie Hart also set a top-10 program mark in the women's 10,000 meters, posting a personal-best time of 33:58.49. The Saratoga Springs, N.Y., native now sits ninth in school history for the event.

Two other Demon Deacons secured top-10 program marks on Saturday, both of which came in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase. Freshman Victoria Rodriguez logged a time of 10:31.70 to move into fourth all-time in school history, while graduate student Issy Goldstein registered a time of 10:44.91 to jump into tenth.

Elsewhere, sophomore Rosalind Gergely claimed second place in the women's javelin on Friday, logging a personal-best distance of 52.21 meters on her final attempt.

On the men's side, four Deacs set ACC-standard marks in the men's 10,000 meters. Junior Charlie Sprott led the way for the Deacs in the 10,000 meters, clocking a time of 28:42.04 to finish ninth. Senior Joe O'Brien finished just behind Sprott, clocking a time of 28:54.48 to take 11th place.

Additionally, senior Daniel Winter clocked a time of 29:32.94, while fellow senior Gavin Ehlers recorded a personal-best time of 29:39.14.

The John Hayes Era
Currently in his 10th season as the director of the Wake Forest Track and Cross Country programs, head coach John Hayes has helped the Demon Deacons rise to the highest ranks in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Under his leadership, the Deacs have claimed two ACC championships in men's cross country over the past three seasons, including their most recent title during the 2024 season. The men's cross country team has also finished inside the top-10 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships three times during Hayes' tenure, including a seventh-place finish in 2024 and a fifth-place finish in 2022. Hayes, who was named both Southeast Region and ACC Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024, has also produced seven All-Americans in cross country, including junior Rocky Hansen, who finished as national runner-up at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Along with his achievements in cross country, Hayes has also helped guide the Deacs into success in both indoor and outdoor track and field. In total, the Demon Deacons have earned 127 All-ACC honors, as well as seven individual ACC Championships over his first eight seasons.

In outdoor track and field alone, the Deacs have earned 69 All-ACC honors under Hayes, as well as an individual ACC championship by Thomas Vanoppen in the 1500m back in 2022.

2026 Outdoor Track and Field Top-10 Marks in Program History

Men's Javelin
- 5th - Nick Masterman (63.22m)
Women's 100m Hurdles
- 7th - Seren Rodgers (14.20)
Women's 3000m Steeplechase
- 4th - Victoria Rodriguez (10:31.70)
- 10th - Issy Goldstein (10:44.91)
Women's 10,000m
- 1st - Angelina Perez (32:45.71)
- 9th - Mackenzie Hart (33:58.49)
Women's Discus
- 7th - Jazmine Thompson (46.95m)
Women's Javelin
- 3rd - Rosalind Gergely (52.21m)
Women's Shot Put
- 7th - Jazmine Thompson (15.00m)
- 8th - Casey Sullivan (14.91m)

Next Up
Wake Forest will host the annual Wake Forest Invitational at Kentner Stadium on Thursday, April 16, and Friday, April 17.

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