April 9, 2018

DELAWARE, Ohio - In temperatures more suited for the Winter Olympics, the Bluffton University Track and Field Team turned on the heat with a number of strong performances at the Marv Frye Invitational on Saturday, April 7.

The pole vaulters, as has often been the case, had another stellar day. Freshman GABE MAKIN(Elida) won the men's competition with a 15-5.5 clearance, besting the field of 14. Senior KYLE KNEZOVICH (Utica) and sophomore JUSTIN KAUFFMAN (Smithville) went 2nd and 4th, respectively, with Kauffman establishing a new career high at 13-6. Not to be outdone by her male counterparts, junior SARAH OLIVER (Lexington) won the college segment of the women's vault with a PR of 10-11.75.

In the throwing events, PR's were the story of the meet. Freshman SARAH FOX(Pickerington/Central) had a career day with three PR's (shot put, discus and hammer). They outdistance her previous bests by not just inches, but by feet! Also continuing the PR storyline was freshman AMANDA SETSER (Troy) in both the shot put and discus. JOHN JONES(Cincinnati/Walnut Hills) added a PR with his hammer throw.

The track athletes also saw their share of personal records with senior KRIS LYONS(Vickery/Margaretta) running a 15:56 in the 5000 meters, good for 3rd place and an All-Ohio as well as HCAC qualifying mark. Freshman OMAR WARLICK (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) registered a PR in the 100 meters, while CIANA HOSTETLER (Sugarcreek/Garaway) and NATHAN WILLOW (Arlington) added PR's in the 400 meters and high jump, respectively.

Head Coach Karen Brandt remarked of the day, "It was great to see so many individuals not be intimidated by the harsh conditions but instead rise in this important juncture as the All-Ohio and HCAC Championships are looming just around the corner."

The teams return to action at the All-Ohio Championships, hosted again by Ohio Wesleyan University, on Saturday, April 14. All events are slated to start at 10 a.m. from Delaware, Ohio.

-BEAVERS-