March 21, 2015

Men's results  I  Women's results

LEXINGTON, Va. - The men's and women's track and field teams opened their outdoor season at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA in mixed weather conditions and to mixed fortunes. 

Friday's events started in cool, rainy and somewhat slippery conditions which may have hampered results in the field events. While sophomore Trey Everett (Sidney/Fairlawn) won both the long and high jump, he was disappointed in his marks as they were beneath his previous bests. Several Bluffton competitors achieved no marks as they struggled to cope with the
conditions of the runways and throwing circles. Freshman D'Nae Reese (Columbus/Upper Arlington) proved the exception, however, with her 2nd place finish in the discus with a distance that qualified her for both the HCAC and All Ohio championships.

As evening fell, what proved onerous for the field athletes turned in to perfect conditions for the distance runners as they circled the track in cool, windless conditions. Sophomore Anna Hairston (Mansfield/Ontario) got the action started with a PR performance at 5000 meters, clocking 18:48 65. Sophomore Jack Fisher (Norwalk/St. Paul) followed with a PR of his own which set a new school record for 5k, 15:32.59. At the 25 lap 10,000 meter distance, sophomore Raven Wilson (Coshocton/Riverview) ran a breakthrough race, over two minutes faster than her previous best, stopping the clock at 41:26.99. Also contesting the 10k, junior Zach Bradley (Sheffield/Brookside) closed the evening with a stellar PR school-record time of 33:01.98.

While the weather proved much kinder with sunny skies and rising temperatures Saturday, the results continued to be mixed with field events again bearing the brunt of the misfortunes. Reese again rose to the top with another 2nd place performance, this time in the shot put while fellow throwers Torrie Ruffin (Reynoldsburg/Mifflin) and DiVaunta Spearman (Sandusky/Willard) PR'd in the event. Spearman also achieved his best mark to date in the hammer while Aron Gibson (Caledonia/River Valley) did likewise in javelin. Senior Jeff Parker (Bristol, Ind./Northridge), Bluffton's javelin specialist, placed 2nd in the event with a toss of 184-4, the best opening season distance in his career and a qualifier for the upcoming championships. 

Again the track was more productive to the Beavers with freshman Sarah Hunter (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale) narrowly missing the win in the 800, clocking a new school record (2:20.11), qualifying for HCAC and All-Ohio. She and fellow teammates Hannah Krull (Lewisburg/Tri-County North),
Kristin Schiefer (Bucyrus/Wynford) and Taylor Rose (Johnstown/Northridge) all ran best times at 200 meters with Hunter's performance being championship qualifiers.

Qualifying for HCAC and All-Ohio in their respective events were Olivia Poole (Cleveland/Shaker Heights) at 100 meters and Kyle Knezovich (Utica) in the 110 meter hurdles.

"It's tough to watch your athletes work hard since the end of their quality indoor season and then see many of them struggle to make a smooth
transition to the outdoor campaign," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "This trip to southern Virginia has generally produced good results across the board for us, but this year it showed us we have work to do to in order to be competitive at the outdoor conference meet. I have faith in my assistant coaches and athletes. We'll be ready." The Beavers will compete next on Saturday, March 28, at the Defiance College Dick Small Invitational.

-BEAVERS-