By Derek Stanley and Tim Stried
February 12, 2002
The Bluffton College track and field team competed at the Findlay Indoor Open this past Friday, February 8. The meet hosted 850+ athletes from 40 different teams, which led to very good competition and the Beavers took advantage of it.
The women's squad was trimmed down by a few injuries, leading to five participants in action, while the men's squad saw 11 participants have a successful day.
"I am very happy with the performances Friday night," said head coach Derek Stanley. "These kids came out here to compete tonight and they did it very well. The season keeps looking brighter and brighter with each passing meet."
Jana Hammer led the way with her best races of the year with a 7.95 (season best) in the 55m dash, which placed her 19th out of 38 athletes, and then a 28.11 in the 200m dash, also a season best. Also competing for the Beaver were Rachel Noirot, who ran a strong 800m (2:49.78), while in the 3000m run Katie Gwirtz edged out teammate Rachael Szydlowski running 12:11.94 and 12:15.39, respectively. Finally, Michelle Bailey competed in the shot put (31' 5.25") and the weight throw (31' 5.75).
The men's squad saw Ryan Nusbaum and Adam Super both run the 55m dash in 6.92, while Troy Baumer ran that distance in 6.95 and Chris Mackey finished his first 55m dash with a 7.14. Aaron Pfliederer attempted the college high hurdles for the first time in his career and handled it with grace finishing with a 9.38. Baumer came back to run a solid 200m dash finishing with a 24.08. Jason Lehman started the day with the 200m and ran a 24.34, Nusbaum ran a 24.53, Adam Super a 25.11, and Pfliederer finished his day with a 29.44. Mackey's second race came in the 400m dash as he went on to win his heat running a 53.63. Steve Borga used the 600m dash to warm up for his 3000m run, running a 1:33.79 in the 600 and a 10:04.80 in the 3000. Last for the running events was the 1600m relay which Bluffton had not yet established a time for this season. The team of Mackey, Nusbaum, Lehman, and Baumer ran a 3:41.39, placing them 14th.
In the field events Clint Dillon had an impressive day as he placed 7th overall with a vault of 13' 11.25." Also vaulting for the Beavers was Randy Hart who cleared 10' 11.75". In the men's shot put, Kevin Ross threw 40' 1.5" and Travis Lepley threw 37' 10". Lepley also threw in the weight throw competition, having a big day with a PR throw of 33' 6."
Next weekend, the team will travel back to Ohio Northern University for a Friday Night Series meet. The meet is slated to start at 6:00pm in the King Horn Sports Center.