April 2, 2018
ST LOUIS, Mo. - The Bluffton University track and field teams had a busy Good Friday, splitting the squads between two meets 350 miles apart and seeing quality performances including two new school records.
While most of the team was competing at the Otterbein University April Fool's Invitational in Westerville, Ohio, five of the team's leading distance athletes were in St. Louis, Mo., at Washington University, running in the Midwest's premier distance night carnival. In large, quality fields with athletes from all three NCAA divisions, NAIA and junior colleges from institutions throughout the eastern half of the United States, the Beavers acquitted themselves admirably.
Sophomore DAKOTA FROST (Edgerton/Hicksville) had perhaps the race of the night for the Beavers as he lopped 30 seconds off the 10,000 meter school record he had just established two weeks ago in Virginia, running 31:55.41. Frost placed a very respectable 22nd in the total field of 74 competitors. Fellow sophomore ALEXIS CASH (Gaines, MI/Lake Fenton) impressively trimmed 18 seconds off the 5,000 meter record from 2015, breaking the finish line in 18:08.87 and in the process placing 31st among the 144 women who raced the event. Junior JENNIE MATTESON (Guysville/Alexander) had a big night as well in the 5,000, shaving 15 seconds from her previous best to clock 18:44.03. Senior KRIS LYONS (Vickery/Margaretta) improved on his time of two weeks ago by a minute and established an HCAC qualifying spot in the process.
"While it is a long distance to travel, it is well worth the effort in order to give our athletes the opportunity to test themselves in a meet of this caliber," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "There is a dearth of quality distance opportunities closer to home and as we are developing athletes who can take their times and the school records to another level, we owe it to them to provide these types of races. Dakota and Alexis certainly rose to the occasion."
Cash had this to say following her school-record effort, "I really enjoyed this race because I was focused and relaxed most of the time. I felt confident and strong. My goal was to stay with the front pack as long as I could and work on passing people and letting them pull me along. I owe it all to Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)."
Throughout the day Friday, many of the other Beavers were hard at work in Westerville. JuniorKETURAH WARLICK (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) qualified for the final of the 100 meters in a field of 23 and went on to finish 4th in the final with a quick 13.06 time. Senior KYLE KNEZOVICH (Utica) cleared the bar at 15' to place 3rd in the pole vault field of 15 and dropped his time nicely in the 400 hurdles to 57.11 to place 5th in the field of 16. Freshman JIHAD SHOCKLEY (Columbus/Oakstone Academy) had a big day as well, taking 4th in long jump with a leap of 20' 09.25" and 5th in the 400 with a 52.02 clocking.
The team will reunite this weekend on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University at the Marv Frye Invitational. Throws action begins Friday, April 6, at 3:30 p.m. with the men's and women's hammer and javelin competitions. Field events will continue Saturday, April 7 starting at noon; track action will commence at 2 p.m.
-BEAVERS-