February 1, 2014
UPLAND, Ind. - During a marathon day of slow travel and a long meet schedule, the Bluffton University track and field team competed at Taylor University on Saturday, Feb. 1. Coach Jason Fisher's throwers once again stole the show with some outstanding performances.
Making the final and finishing 7th in a field of 44 competitors, sophomore CHASE WALTERS(Convoy/Crestview) threw the 35 pound weight 50' 3", surpassing his previous HCAC championship qualifying mark and landing him 8th on the current All-Ohio Championship meet performance list. Fellow throwers, freshman JACOB MORAN (Carey) and sophomore EDGAR GONZALEZ (Melvindale, Mich.), also had big days in the shot. Moran's put of 45' 8" placed him 6th in a field of 42, qualified him for the HCAC championship and placed him 9th on the aforementioned All-Ohio performance list. Gonzalez, who like Moran made the final round of competition, placed 9th in the field with his PR put of 43' 9". Moran and Gonzalez had double PRs on the day with best ever throws in the weight as well. Also doing the double PR were freshman DIVANUTA SPEARMAN (Sandusky/Willard) and sophomore ALEX PARKER (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley).
Track performances to some extent still reflect the interference of the weather conditions, but some personal best efforts were produced nonetheless. Freshman PATRICK BREAN (Ashland) PR'd at 3000 meters; fellow freshman KATI O'NEILL (Wapakoneta) came through again with best times at both the mile and 800; and MARTIN RUSS (Rocky River) continued to impress in his senior year with a new best time in the 800 meters as well as a fast leg in the 4 x 400 meter relay.
"I knew when he applied for the position that I had the potential for a quality coach in Coach Fisher," said Head Coach Karen Brandt, "but a good athlete does not automatically make a good coach. Thus far, Coach Fisher has exceeded my expectations. He has accelerated the development of our sophomores and taken our freshmen to performances I didn't foresee this quickly as they adjust to the larger, heavier shot and a completely new event in the weight throw. As I look to the future of our growing program, I see us developing into a potent force in the throws events."
The Beavers travel to neighboring Ohio Northern University on Saturday, Feb. 8 to compete in the Joe Banks Invitational. Field events start at 11 a.m. with the track events commencing at noon.
-BEAVERS-