By Jordan Hill, sports information assistant
Results: http://athletics.findlay.edu/sports/mtrack/2011-12/files/OilerOpenDay2.htm
The Bluffton University men's and women's indoor track and field teams made their 2012 season debut this weekend at the two-day Oiler Opener Invitational hosted by the University of Findlay. Nine teams from Divisions I, II, and III competed in the unscored meet on Dec. 2-3.
Seniors Megan Neal (Arlington) and Andy Chaffee (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) started their indoor track senior campaigns by breaking school records in their respective events. Neal improved her own Bluffton University school record by over two feet in the weight throw with a toss of 47-7.25 feet. On the track, Chaffee shattered the previous 3,000-meter school record by 11 seconds, running a time of 9:37.87.
Placing in the top 8 of their events were junior Alison Janzen (Whitewater, Kan./Remington), who ran a lifetime personal record in the one mile with a time of 5:55.55, placing 4th overall., sophomore Brandi Dominique (Wauseon) was 5th in the 800 with a time of 2:35.34 and freshman Claire McConnell (Spencerville) took 6th in the 800 with a time of 2:40.28,
Also highlighting for the Beavers was sophomore Kayla Mullenhour (Delphos/Jefferson), who ran two lifetime personal records in the 60m hurdles with a time of 10.51 and in the 60m dash with a time of 8.68. Freshman Ryan Schadewald (Lima/Bath) ran a 9:47.73 in 3,000 meters, which was also a second under previous school record.
First-year Head Coach Karen Brandt was very pleased with the results from the meet. "This was a great start to the 2012 indoor season," she stated. "We are rebuilding this program and the team already started laying the foundation. The two seniors led the meet for us while the underclassmen proved they have potential. The hard work won't stop as we look forward to our next meet in January and we expect more of the same great effort, execution, and enthusiasm."
The Bluffton University indoor track and field teams are idle over winter break before competing again on January 20, 2012, at the University of Findlay.
