By: Ben Hershberger, sports information assistant
March 19, 2007
Cincinnati, Ohio - The Bluffton University track and field team traveled to the University of Cincinnati to compete in its first outdoor match of the year on Saturday, March 17, 2007. The host Bearcats dominated the events for the day, taking first place in the overall team competition in both the men's and women's fields. The Beavers men's squad was very competitive, taking 5th place overall with 42 points, which was only 10 points behind 3rd place Xavier.
Freshman JASON FISHER (Rockford/Parkway) paced the men's squad by placing high in all four throwing events at the meet. Fisher placed 5th in the men's shot put and men's discus with his 42.72 meter (140-02) throw in the discuss and heaving a 13.47 meter (44-02.50) throw in shot put. Fisher then went on to place 3rd in the javelin with a throw of 44.55 meters (146-02), and 8th in the hammer throw with a toss of 41.34 meters (135-07).
Senior SHANDON NORTH (Galion/Galion) and junior REX BROWN (Wauseon/Pettisville) claimed the two top finishing places on the day for the Beavers. North was solid once again in the 400 meter dash, placing 2nd with a time of 49.31 seconds, and Brown took top honors in the javelin with a launch of 48.94 meters (160-07) to claim the only first place finish for the Beavers. North also went on to place 9th in the 200 meter dash with a time of 23.70 seconds, while Brown placed 10th in the shot put with a throw of 37.81 meters (124-00)
Junior TYLER FAIRCHILD (Toledo/Whitmer) ran strong in the distance events for the Bluffton men's team as he posted a 9th place finish in 800 meter run with a time of 2:06.58. Also placing strong in Beaver dominated javelin event was DAVID ESPINOZA (Toledo/Whitmer) who finished 6th with a hurl of 34.46 meters (113-01).
For the women, ASHLEY SMITH (Delta/Delta) led the way with a 5th place finish in the 400 meter dash with a time of 1:06.51. Also running well for the women's squad in the sprint events was freshman SARAH BINKLEY (Bluffton/Cory-Rawson) who placed 7th in the 100 meter dash with a sprint of 13.66 seconds.
Junior SARAH HUMPHREY (Upper Sandusky/Upper Sandusky) and freshman BROOKE HABRUN (Magnolia/Sandy Valley) both placed 10th in running events to help the Beavers. Sarah posted her 10th place finish in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 19:42.62, and Brooke's 10th place finish was in the 1,500 meter run with a time of 6:18.90.
Sophomore KARYN DAVIS (Liberty Center/Liberty Center) had the strongest showing in the field events for the women's team with a 9th place throw in the shot put with a distance of 10.42 meters (34-02.25).
The Bluffton track and field team will travel to Defiance, Ohio, for the Dick Small Invite this Saturday, March 24, 2007. The meet is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.