by Nate Smith
Sophomore Michele Bailey and freshman Dan Rosebrock led a handful of Beavers in their performances Friday night, February 14, at the Findlay Open.
Bailey and Rosebrock, along with sophomore Andy Schiefer and junior Rachel Noirot, set new school records in the open meet. Bluffton only had a small contingent of athletes competing in the meet, but those who were on hand came away with a few promising performances.
For the women's team, Bailey and fellow thrower Megan Beach each claimed top 15 finishes in a strong field. Bailey improved on her own school record in the weight throw by over two and a half feet, tossing the implement 42' 9.75". That throw was good enough for tenth place, equaling the highest finish for the women. Beach led the Beavers in the shotput with a season-best throw of 34' 3.5", to place 13th in the event. She also improved on her mark in the weight throw, with a throw of 36' 4.75".
Another top finisher for the women was Noirot, who bettered her own school record in the pole vault, at eight feet and one-half inch. The vault was good enough for tenth place. She also competed in the 800 meters, finishing in a time of 2:55.43.
Other performances for the women included Jennifer Creamer in the 800 meters (2:50.30) and mile run (5:59.51), and Amanda Habegger in the pole vault (6' 6.75").
For the men's team, Rosebrock highlighted the evening's performances by shaving nearly six full seconds off the previous record in the 600 meters. His time of 1:27.87 was also good enough to earn him a 7th-place finish in the race. Schiefer, meanwhile, broke the school record in the 3000 meters with a time of 9:48.50. Both records were previously held by senior Steve Borga, the current indoor 5000 meter record-holder. Borga competed in the 800 meters (2:14.16) and mile run (4:56.90).
The men's field events were highlighted by a season-best vault from sophomore Fred Yoder, who cleared 12' 11.5". Senior Travis Lepley and freshman Jeremy Feix also recorded season-best marks in the weight throw at 34' 0.25" and 32' 9.75", respectively. Freshman Jeremy King recorded the highest finish of any Bluffton athlete in the meet, placing sixth in the high jump.
Other performances for the men included freshman Floyd Ward in the 400 meters (55.89) and 800 meters (2:09.42), and junior Randy Hart in the pole vault (11' 11.75").
The entire Beavers' teams will be back in action next Friday, February 21, when they take part in the final ONU Friday Night Series Meet of the indoor season.