TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Bluffton University Track and Field team made the 4.5 hour trip to Rose-Hulman twice over the weekend, but the time on the road paid off as the women took 4th at the HCAC Championships on Saturday, Feb. 20, and the men placed 6th on Sunday, Feb. 21. The Fightin' Engineers from host Rose-Hulman claimed both the women's and men's titles as the championships were split by gender due to COVID-19 distancing realities.
The women took center stage on Saturday and the Beavers were more than up to the task. Freshman Madalynn Schifer (Bucyrus) established a new PR with an 8.33 in the 60 meter dash that saw her take 2nd! She also got it done with a 4th place finish in the 200 meters and an 8th place showing in the long jump. Bluffton showed out in the throws with sophomore Emma Payne (Hicksville) taking second in the weight throw (13.81 meter PR). Senior Stephanie Fox (Pickerington/Central) had two top 5 finishes for the Beavers, placing 3rd in the shot put and 4th in the weight throw.
The Women's Distance Medley Relay (DMR) made its way to the podium, notching a 3rd place finish on Saturday. The DMR consisted of junior Hope Nixon (Johnstown/Johnstown-Monroe) and freshmen Makenzie Brownrigg (Davison, MI), Brooke Barnes (Ashland/Crestview) and Miranda Billman (Castalia/Margaretta). Chipping in with 6th place points for the Bluffton women was the 4 X 200 relay team of Schifer, Church, Jordan Arps (Malinta/Patrick Henry) and Heather Sauder (Pettisville/Wauseon).
Head Distance Coach Logan Wells had this to say following his final meet at Bluffton. "I was really proud of how the distance group competed this weekend. We talked all week about being aggressive and confident and I feel like we executed that. With it being such a strange year I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in, but I feel like we've tapped into a new level of competitiveness that will carry us forward into the XC Championship and outdoor track and field."
Freshman Amanda Church (Northwestern/Lancaster) added to Bluffton's point total with a 6th place finish in the high jump. Making her first appearance on the track after helping the Bluffton volleyball team earn its way into the HCAC tournament, sophomore Caitlyn Renner (Cairo/Bath) finished 7th in one of her signature events, the long jump.
"I was proud of the way our ladies sprints, jumps, and hurdles group fought during the meet," quipped Assistant Coach Darrell Briggs. "Maddy Schifer set new 3 PRs and had a podium finish in the 60 meter dash! Caitlyn Renner battled to get points in long jump while currently in volleyball season. With minimal practice time she showed up to compete. I am excited as we head into the outdoor season to build off this meet and find even more success!"
Sunday saw the Bluffton men make the trek to Terre Haute, led by junior Brandon James (Waynesfield/Waynesfield-Goshen) who earned Male Field Athlete of the Year! It marked the 3rd time since 2015 that Bluffton has housed the HCAC Outstanding Male Field Athlete. James took 2nd in both the long jump and the high jump. He was part of the 3rd place 4 X 200 meter relay team that consisted of Desmond Gist (Detroit, MI/Trenton), Malik Waters (Lima/Perry) and Blayden McCoy (Fresno/Ridgewood).
Gist was superb in his first Heartland Conference championship meet, earning Newcomer of the Year on the men's side! He took home gold in the 60 meter hurdles and also went 3rd in the long jump, 4th in the high jump and 5th in the 200 meters. Coach Briggs had this to say about the men. "The sprints, jumps, and hurdles group had an amazing meet. They brought home two of the three individual awards (field athlete of the year - Brandon and Newcomer of the year - Desmond.) Brandon brought the extra intensity the team needed! Desmond rose to the occasion, competing in five events at his first ever conference championship! After today I can't wait to open up outdoor competition! Bigger and better things are coming!"
Also putting up 4th place points for the men was the DMR. Junior Austin Hernandez (Marion/Ridgedale) was joined by freshmen Zach Boch (Lancaster), Morgan Adams (Dublin/Coffman) and Ethan Ly (Dublin/Coffman) as the Beavers were just 13 points away from a 3rd place finish on the men's side.
Head Coach Kaylea Jachno could not say enough good things about what she witnessed at Rose-Hulman over the weekend. "In my three years at Bluffton I have coached at many conference championships. We knew this year was going to be unlike any other, and it was. Through trials and tribulations this team has remain strong, positive, and competitive. It is a testament to the hard work of our athletes and the dedication of our coaches. This is what allowed us to accomplish so much this weekend."
She continued, "We are just getting started and I have never been more excited than I am now for the potential of what we can do during the outdoor season. I am so proud of the individuals on this team and I am proud to be a coach at Bluffton University"
The cross country folks will travel to Louisville, Ky., for the Heartland Conference championship on Sunday, March 14, before the full squad returns to outdoor action on March 19-20 for the Transy Pioneer Invite.
-BEAVERS-
