April 13, 2013
By: Bryson Hartzler, sports information assistant

DELAWARE, Ohio - The Bluffton University track and field program traveled to the All-Ohio Championships on Saturday, April 13. A total of 22 Division III programs from across the state gathered on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan to compete for the title of the best in the state of Ohio. The Beavers had several great performances but it was JEFF PARKER (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) in the javelin and ALISON JANZEN (Whitewater, Kan./Remington) in the 5k that highlighted the day for Bluffton.

Jeff Parker was the sole event winner on the day, besting a very competitive field by one foot. Parker continues his winning streak on the season, continually improving his performances each week. His season-best throw of 184-3 is just shy of his own school record. Parker's throw is now the top throw in the Heartland Conference and is just outside of the top 25 throws in the nation at the time of this press release.

Alison Janzen continued her outstanding senior season by setting another school record in the women's 5k. This gives Janzen four school records, dating back to the cross country season. Janzen ran a personal-best time of 18:31.27, improving 20 seconds from her previous personal best to finish just outside of the point earners.

Other personal bests on the day came from the track where MADDIE MOORE (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) ran another personal-best time in the 3k steeplechase, dropping 30 seconds off of her previous best. Her time is well under the conference qualifier this year. ZACHARY SMITH (West Unity/Hilltop) also ran a personal best in just his second 5k race, taking nine seconds off of his previous best. Finally, freshman DEMI SNIDER (Kenton) ran her first 10k race, finishing a minute under the conference qualifier.

Head Coach Karen Brandt was very pleased with her team, "I'm obviously extremely proud of Jeff and happy for him to be the All-Ohio Champion. For him to be this close to his lifetime PR two weeks before the conference championships should signal a great end of the year result. Alison's record-breaking senior year is the type of thing that reminds you why you're in the business of coaching. To be a part of somebody achieving dreams is an honor and a pleasure."

The Beavers will head to Baldwin-Wallace this weekend before finishing the regular season at Manchester for the HCAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on April 26-27.

-BEAVERS-