February 22, 2018
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its Indoor Track & Field All-HCAC Team on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Bluffton University men's was amply well-represented.
Headlining the list for the Beavers was freshman GABE MAKIN (Elida) who earned All-HCAC for his win in the men's pole vault competition. Makin's clearance of 4.75 meters (15' 7") established a new championship meet record as well as the vote of the conference head coaches for Most Outstanding Male Field Athlete of the meet.
Joining Makin on the All-HCAC list were sophomore TORI BOWEN (Elida) who won the women's pole vault; sophomore ALEXIS CASH (Gaines, MI/Lake Fenton) who took the top step of the podium in the women's 3,000 meter race; and junior KETURAH WARLICK (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) who outclassed the field in the women's 60-meter dash.
Earning 2nd Team honors were junior JENNIE MATTESON (Guysville/Alexander) for her runner-up efforts in the 5,000 meter race as well as senior ALISSA HAUKE (Hillsboro), junior MICHELLE KELSEY (South Whitley, Ind./Whitko), and sophomore TAMI GROFF (Versailles) from the women's 2nd place finishing distance medley relay team. Cash was the fourth member of that DMR.
Honorable Mention was awarded to junior SARAH OLIVER (Lexington) for her 3rd place finish in women's pole vault as well as the members of the 3rd place finishing men's DMR of sophomore CONNOR GULICK (St. Louisville/Utica), freshman OMAR WARLICK (East Pointe, Mich./Clintondale), sophomore JOSHUA EHLERS (Northwest State CC/Tinora) and senior KRIS LYONS (Vickery/Margaretta).
Makin and Bowen will compete the next two weekends in an attempt to meet qualifying marks for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. They are slated to vault at the Fred Wilt Invitational on the campus of Anderson University on Saturday, Feb. 24, before a short trip to Ohio Northern for the Polar Bear Last Chance Invitational on March 2-3.
Following the indoor championships, Bluffton will kick off the outdoor portion of the schedule with a trip to Washington & Lee on March 16-17.
-BEAVERS-