By: Nick Wilson, sports information intern
January 21, 2009
ADA, Ohio - The Bluffton University track and field teams opened up their 2009 indoor campaigns on January 16, in the Friday Night Series Meet #1 at Ohio Northern. Competing against a talented group of larger schools that included Huntington University, the University of Findlay and Heidelberg, the men placed fifth and the women finished fifth. The host Polar Bears claimed victories in the men's and women's team competition.
Leading the men with 14 points was junior Jason Fisher (Rockford/Parkway) who picked up a pair of top three finishes. Fisher placed third in the shot put (47-09.75) and second in the weight throw (49-07.25). Following Jason Fisher with four points in the field events was freshman Bryan Heckathorn (Hartville/Lake). Heckathorn placed seventh in the shot put (38-00.00) and seventh in the weight throw (26-10.50).
Freshman Andrew Chaffee (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) scored two points for the men with his eighth place finish in the 1,000 meters (2:58.42) and his ninth place showing in the 3,000 meters (10:09.72). Junior sprinter Rob Johnson (Columbus/Marion Franklin) scored one point for the men's team in the 200 meters (23.50) with his eighth place finish.
Leading the Bluffton women in the field events was sophomore Kayla Pickering (Jamestown/Greenview) with 10 points in her two events. In the shot put (36-01.50) she placed second and she finished seventh in the weight throw (33-04.50). Senior Karyn Davis (Liberty Center/Liberty Center) scored nine points for the women. She picked up a fourth place finish in the shot put (35-02.00) and she placed fifth in the weight throw (37-06.00). Freshman Brea Quellhorst (Wapakoneta) went for eighth in the weight throw (27-00.00) to give Bluffton one point. Allison Trent (Orrville/Smithville), another freshman for the Beavers, took home eighth in the shot put (27-10.25) which was good for one point.
Pacing Bluffton's women's team overall was senior Ashley Smith (Delta/Pike-Delta-York) with a total of 11 points. Smith finished fourth in the 300 meters (44.50) and she placed third in the 400 meters (1:02.66). Junior Sarah Binkley (Bluffton/Cory-Rawson) scored two points for Bluffton in the 1,000 meters (3:45.40) where she finished seventh. Sophomore Megan Koch (Elida) finished in a tie for seventh for one and a half points in the 200 meter sprint (29.00).
The Beavers return to action on Friday, January 23, when they travel to compete at the University of Findlay Invitational.
-BEAVERS-