February 10, 2017
DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University track and field teams started the first day of their two-meet weekend Friday at Defiance College, competing in the Dick Small Memorial Invitational, where athletes not qualified for Saturday’s All-Ohio Championship performed superbly.
Junior Kyle Knezovich (Utica) had the performance of the day, re-establishing his own school record with a winning pole vault clearance of 15’ 1”, moving him to 2nd on the list for next weekend’s HCAC Conference Championship. Junior Erick Benge’s (Monrovia, IN/Monrovia) weight throw effort was also in the superb category with three tosses that each exceeded his previous best, the furthest of which was 47’ 9.00” (14.55 meters), good for 3rd in the field of 23 and a qualifier for the HCAC meet. Notching wins and PR’s were freshman Dakota Frost (Edgerton/Hicksville) in the 3,000 meters and sophomore Sarah Oliver (Lexington) in pole vault.
The reminder of the Beavers saw their share of improved performances as well. Senior Shawn Campo (Galion) broke through a long-standing PR 800 time; freshman Bradley Hardesty (Utica), sophomores Jacob Hill (Dayton/Wayne) and Jonah Eckert (Terre Haute, IN/West Vigo) all set PRs in the mile; freshman Ricardo Florestal (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) took time off his 60 meter effort; and in the 200 meters Ciana Hostetler (Sugarcreek/Garaway) PR’d. In field events, sophomore Riley Wilcox (Killbuck/West Holmes) continued to move forward in the weight throw.
“Tonight’s meet was a nice final tune-up for next weekend’s conference championship,” said Head Coach Karen Brandt, “and it set a great tone going into tomorrow’s All-Ohio meet. Our athletes are hitting their indoor season stride and we are poised to see quality conference performances.”
Track and field action starts at the All-Ohio Championship on the campus of Otterbein University at noon on Saturday, Feb. 11. Fifteen Beavers will be competing across 10 events: men’s long jump; men’s and women’s weight throw; men’s and women’s pole vault; men’s and women’s distance medley relay; men’s 400 and 800 meters and men’s 4 x 400 meter relay.
-BEAVERS-
