The Bluffton University track and field program opened its indoor season this weekend at the Defiance Holiday Meet. This venue will also be the host site for the HCAC Indoor Championships held on February 16.

The Beavers jumped out to a fast start this season with three school records falling as well as multiple first place finishes and many personal bests.

It did not take long for the Beavers to rewrite the records books, with two school records falling in the 60 meter hurdles. Freshman Joel Schmidt (Berne, Ind./South Adams) was the first to set a new record with a 9.25 performance.

Not to be outdone, the women followed with a strong performance as well. Kayla Mullenhour (Delphos/Jefferson) ran a personal best 10.4 with freshman Kendall Weber (Wauseon) finishing in 9.94 to set the new school record.

Weber followed up her hurdle performance with a first place finish in the long jump. Weber went 15’ 9.75” on her final jump to best the field. Both of Weber’s performances qualify her for the indoor HCAC Championships.

Freshman Colin McCloskey (Sylvania/Northview) transitioned seamlessly into the indoor season by establishing a new school record in the 3k. He finished in 9.27.98, improving on the previous school record by nearly 10 seconds.

Ryan Schadewald (Lima/Bath) capped the day with a personal best as well, finishing in 9:42.

Senior Alison Janzen (Whitewater, Kan./Remington) also carried the momentum from her stellar cross country season into the indoor season by setting a new facility record and personal best in the 3k. Janzen took first place by dropping nearly 30 seconds off her previous personal best to finish in 11:16.11.

Distance coach Jim Brandt was very impressed with her accomplishment in what was essentially a solo effort. “She is a testament to what hard work and mental toughness can do.”

Other top finishers on the day were the Travaun Reaves (Berkley, Mich.) in the high jump. Reaves placed second in the high jump with a clearance of 6’0” which also qualified him for the HCAC championships.

Demi Snider (Kenton) led the field in the mile run, finishing in 5:59.81. Snider was also part of the winning Distance Medley Relay. Snider was joined by Tara Murphy (Westerville/Thomas Worthington), Kayla Mullenhour and Nicole Peterman (Killbuck/West Holmes).

Head Coach Karen Brandt was pleased with the overall performance from the team. “Today was a good start to the track season. We are a young team with many who have never competed indoors. Most of our newcomers performed quite well in their opening collegiate meet. Our veterans did not disappoint either. A coach can not complain when we come back home with school records, conference qualifiers and PRs. There is still much work to do and better performances to come but today was a satisfying day."

The Beavers are off for the rest of the semester and will return to action on the January 12 at Capital University.

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