By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
LEXINGTON, Ky. - On Saturday, March 23, the Beavers rolled out for their first outdoor track meet of the 2024 season! Traveling to Transylvania was new for this team of Bluffton Beaver track and field athletes, and after a long drive they arrived at the Pioneer Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky.
The cold and wind made for a challenging season opener, but the Beavers tackled the challenge head on. The team gave it their all despite the tough conditions!
The meet kicked off with the field events. Tying for 5th in the men's high jump was junior Kyle Manns (Ottoville) with a mark of 5.9 meters. Malik Waters (Lima/Perry) had a phenomenal performance in the long jump, placing 2nd overall with an impressive mark of 21 feet.
The triple jump was dominated by junior Joey Bonham (Vanlue)with an impressive leap of 12.90 meters! This mark ranks him 5th on the all-time list! Waters placed 2nd with a jump of 12.52 meters and Dontreyell Thomas (Madera, Cal./Edison) placed 4th overall (12.14 meters).
Junior Coen North (Denver, Col./North) placed 4th in the men's javelin with a big throw of 42.20 meters!
Senior Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton) had a good day, placing 2nd in the men's 100 meters with a time of 11.02
The men's 200 meter race also went well for the Beavers as junior Russell Lough (Wintersville/Indian Creek) placed 3rd with a time of 22.86 and senior Simon Shawk (Galion) took 4th with a time of 22.92!
Lough and Shawk made a reappearance in the 400 meters along with their teammate, senior Blayden McCoy (Fresno/Ridgewood). Coming around the track quickly to secure a spot in 2nd place overall was Lough with a time of 50.94. McCoy took 4th with a time of 52.00, while Shawk placed closely behind with a time of 52.13 in 5th overall The Beavers fought hard on the day!
Coach Gulick, who works primarily with the distance athletes, was proud of his athletes on the day. He highlighted a few standout performances from his distance athletes, including the performances of Cole Kropka (New London), Sammie Unger (Kenton), Aiden Brien (Springfield/Kenton Ridge), Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton), and Grant Beasley (Versailles).
Kropka had an impressive start to his junior season, placing 5th in Bluffton history for the steeplechase! The junior finished 3rd overall in the race, setting a new PR of 10:09!
In the women's 1500m race, Unger had a lights-out race, setting a new PR of 5:58!
Roudebush raced hard in the men's 1500 meters, finishing with a new PR of 4:35. Brien also set a new PR after a great race of 4:45.
Finding success in the men's 5k race was Beasley, setting a new PR of 17:34!
The Beavers will travel to Tiffin for the Tiffelberg Open on March 30th.
-BEAVERS-