February 4, 2017

Results

ADA, Ohio - The Bluffton University men’s and women’s track and field team traveled to Ohio Northern University to participate in the Joe Banks Invitational in fields that were considerably larger and deeper than previous years. The Beavers came away with a variety of excellent performances.

The men’s distance medley relay, an exciting mix of middle distance and sprint legs (1200, 400, 800 and 1600 meters) started the day’s competition with an impressive 3rd place finish in the field of seven teams. The Beaver quartet of junior Kris Lyons (Vickery/Margaretta), junior Kyle Knezovich (Utica), freshman Connor Gulick (St. Louisville/Utica) and senior Jack Fisher (Norwalk/St. Paul) erased 30 seconds from their time posted last weekend, stopping the clock at 10:53.52, which most likely secured them a spot at next weekend’s All-Ohio championship.

Also likely punching their tickets to next championship at Otterbein University were sophomore Quincy Salcido (Van Wert) in the 400 meters with a time of 51.08, good for 5th in the field of 37 men. Senior Jack Fisher’s 2:01.25 at 800 meters (8th among 46) should place him among the top 16 qualifiers for All-Ohio as should senior DiVaunta Spearman’s (Sandusky/Willard) PR weight throw of 50’ 3.25” (15.23 meters) which placed him an impressive 4th in the field of 36.

Freshman Stanley Williams (Sterling Heights, Mich./Chippewa Valley) continued his winning ways in the long jump, besting 28 other contestants with a leap of 22’ 5.0” (6.83 meters). Junior D’Nae Reese (Columbus/Upper Arlington) came home 2nd in the field of 49 in women’s weight with a throw of 54’ 9.25” (16.69 meters) while junior Willow Thompson (Arlington) placed 6th among the 21 vaulters with a 10’ 6.75” clearance. Also finishing the meet in a points-paying position was the speedy men’s 4 x 400 meter relay (Knezovich, Williams, Fisher, Salcido) which placed 3rd among the 14 teams in 3:30.83, less than seven-tenths from second place Case Western.

A bevy of Beaver thinclads produced PR efforts in a wide range of events. Sophomore Michael Lehman (West Liberty/West Liberty-Salem) bested his times in both the 800 and mile. Sophomore Jacob Hill (West Liberty/West Liberty-Salem) improved his time in the mile as did senior Shawn Campo (Galion) for the second consecutive weekend. In the women’s mile, sophomore Devony Miller (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) not only ran a PR time but qualified for the HCAC championship as well. Sophomore Taylor Aurand (Riley, Mich./Armada) also saw a big improvement at the distance.

In the 3,000 meter race, sophomore Michelle Kelsey (South Whitley, Ind./Whitko) dropped another 26 seconds from her PR time from just two meets ago. In the 60 meter dash, freshmen Ricardo Florestal (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Brittany Breier (Archbold/Stryker) and Ciana Hostetler (Sugarcreek/Garaway) all improved their times while sophomore Keturah Warlick (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) ran a season best, just eight-tenths from her school record set at last year’s indoor conference championship. Warlick returned to the track in the 200 meters and PR’d with 27.66 where Hostetler improved her time as well.  In the throws, junior Erick Benge (Monrovia, Ind./Monrovia) came up big in the shot put with a new best throw of 42’ 2.25” (12.86), a conference qualifier. Sophomore Zach Pachis (Massillon/Massillon Christian) also PR’d at shot while freshman John Jones (Cincinnati/Walnut Hills) had a new best effort in the weight.

“It was a pretty good day to be a Beaver,” enthused Head Coach Karen Brandt. “As with every meet, we had athletes who didn’t meet their goals and expectations or who we sat out of competition to rest for future meets. Overall though, it was a quality day. Indoor track can be a tricky, frustrating and overwhelming experience with nearly 20 events all taking place in one confined space. The noise level alone can be deafening while the overall atmosphere is like that of a 3-ring circus. Concentration is crucial as is keeping one’s emotions under control amid a flurry of elbows and knees. Each week our athletes not only improve on their physical skills but on their mental and emotional ones as well.”

The Beavers will have a split schedule next weekend. Athletes not selected for participation Saturday, Feb. 11, in the All-Ohio Championship with compete Friday night, Feb. 10 at Defiance College. Friday’s action at Defiance starts at 4 p.m. while All-Ohio kicks off Saturday at noon at Otterbein University.

-BEAVERS-