By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
ADA, Ohio- On Friday, Feb. 2, the Beavers loaded up for another competition at Ohio Northern University! The meet kicked off with the field events, followed by the start of the running events an hour later.
The throwers did very well this weekend! Setting a new PR in the men's shot put competition was freshman Kenny Johnson (Thompson Station, Tenn./Independence) with a big throw of 11.30 meters! Sophomore Antonio Garrett (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Stewart's Creek) also set a new PR of 10.83 meters in the shot. Both men also raced for fun in the 60 meter dash for the first time with their teammate, junior Qiyone Nelson (Harper Woods, Mich.)! Johnson finished with a time of 8.24, followed by Garrett in 8.66 and Nelson with a time of 8.89.
In the women's shot, sophomore Paige Smith (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) set a new season best with a great throw of 9.85 meters.
Junior Joey Bonham placed 3rd in the men's high jump with a leap of 1.92 meters, followed by junior Kyle Manns who placed 4th overall with a jump of 1.89m!
Newcomer Amelia Adams (Celina) had her collegiate debut in the pole vault this weekend, placing 4th with a vault of 2.78m!
The distance athletes had a busy weekend but the team handled it well. Flying around the track in the women's 5k was junior Basil Gates (Galion), finishing the race with a new PR of 19:49! After that performance, Gates is currently sitting 2nd in the HCAC!
Also qualifying in the conference was freshman McKenna Mabry (Ventura, Cal./Buena)! She qualified for conference in both the mile, with a new PR of 5:46, and in the 800 meters with a time of 2:33!
In the men's mile, junior Cole Kropka (New London) had an amazing race, setting a new PR of 4:41!
Sophomore Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) set a PR in the men's 800 meter, finishing a quick race with a time of 2:11.
"This was a really fun night. It was a busier weekend for us as a squad, but the team responded well and competed really well," explained Coach Gulick who works with the distance athletes. "As we get closer to conference, I'm excited to see everything come together!"
Having an outstanding performance on the day was senior Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton), taking gold in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.28. His prelim race ranks him T-26th in the nation with a stellar time of 8.23 seconds!
Russell Lough (Wintersville/Indian Creek) placed 3rd in the men's 200 meters with a time of 23.26. Lough also had a great performance in the 400 meters, placing 2nd with a time of 51.26! Both of Lough's races were indoor PR's for the talented junior! Senior Simon Shawk (Galion) placed 3rd in the 400 with a time of 52.04, followed by his teammate, senior Blayden McCoy (Fresno/Ridgewood), who finished the race in 5th place with a time of 53.24.
The meet finished with a bang as the women's 4x400 team, comprised of junior Kinsey Myers (Stryker), Mabry, Adams and junior Kailea Kerr (Manchester, Ind.), placed 3rd overall with a speedy time of 4:34.79!
"I'm happy with the progress we've been making," said Head Coach Ben Markison. "There haven't been huge PR's, but we're consistently improving which is big considering we're still training hard."
The Beavers will hit the road again on Saturday, Feb. 10, when they head to Tiffin for another chance to compete!
-BEAVERS-