By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
February 4, 2008
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Focus and leadership will guide the young Bluffton University track and field teams in 2008. With a large number of freshmen on the squad, it is essential to have experienced upperclassmen lead the team. Head coach Janey Arnold states, "Focusing on individual goals is our top priority," and she implies that focusing on team unity will allow Bluffton to be competitive in the HCAC. If the individual goals are achieved, the members will be able to strive for larger, overarching team goals that the leaders will be implementing. |
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A solid core of returning athletes will provide the backbone and support for both the men and women's teams. Leading the men will be 2007 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year JASON FISHER (Rockford/Parkway). Fisher, who is also a starting tackle on the Bluffton football team, finished second in the discus at the HCAC championships last year with a throw of 141-6 and placed in all three of his other field events. He is looking forward to another productive year. Other key returnees include senior REX BROWN (Pettisville/Pettisville) for the javelin throw and sprints, along with middle distance runners TYLER FAIRCHILD (Toledo/Whitmer) and COLLIN WAGNER(Pettisville/Pettisville). |
| On the women's side, the team will be led by senior standout SARAH HUMPHREY (Upper Sandusky/Upper Sandusky). Humphrey holds various records, including the 5,000 meter run, 10,000 meter run, and just this past year she broke the 3,000 meter steeplechase mark with a time of 12:52.69 at the HCAC Championships hosted by Bluffton. Also returning for the Beavers are junior KARYN DAVIS (Liberty Center/Liberty Center) for throwing events and sophomore sprinter SARAH BINKLEY (Bluffton/Cory-Rawson). Also back for sprints and jumps is junior ASHLEY SMITH (Delta/Delta), who holds indoor school records in the 500 and 600 meters. | 
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| First-year athletes are essential in this year's track program. MEGAN KOCH (Elida/Elida) will be counted on to provide depth in the women's sprints. Another promising freshman on the women's team is PAIGE CORRESSEL (Wauseon/Wauseon) who will throw discus after seeing action on the Bluffton soccer team. |
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BRIAN TIMPE (Wauseon/Pike-Delta-York), who was a top finisher for the men's cross country team in the fall, will be running in the distance events, while BEN ALTHAUS(Delhi, NY/Delhi) will compete in middle distance. MICHAEL TIMPE (Swanton/Swanton), who was a major contributor on the men's soccer team, is a versatile athlete who will compete in jumps and sprints. Fellow soccer player ROBERT JOHNSON(Columbus/Marion Franklin) is also showing promise in sprints and jumps. Hurdlers STEVE HAVENS (Fremont/Lakota) and ZACH KERBER (Lima/Elida) and freshmen throwers JARED AUER (Curtice/Genoa Local) and AARON WLADISCHKIN (Sterling Heights, Mich./Sterling Heights) round out the newcomers for Bluffton. |
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The competition within the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference will be fierce, just as in previous seasons. Despite the challenges of youthful teams and a shorter outdoor season, the Bluffton track and field program is primed to place individuals in numerous events. With the addition of talented freshmen to complement experienced returnees, the Beavers are hoping to make a significant impact on the HCAC standings. The Ohio Northern Series Meet on January 18, 2008, marked the beginning of the winter indoor season. The Beavers will open their outdoor campaign March 21, when they travel to Defiance for the Dick Small Invite. |
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