April 5, 2014
DELAWARE, Ohio - On a day that started cold, windy and gray, the sun shone on the Bluffton University men's and women's track and field team as the day progressed at the Marv Frye Invitational held on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University. The Beavers produced an event winner, three school records and a number of personal record (PR) performances.
Junior JEFF PARKER (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) once again dominated the javelin competition, defending his title with a toss of 171' 9" over a field of 18 competitors. Senior MARTIN RUSS (Rocky River) started the school record run with his 10:02.55 steeplechase effort, breaking the mark that has stood since 1983 and finishing 2nd in a field of ten. It was freshman JACK FISHER'S (Norwalk/St. Paul) turn at a record in the 1500 as he shattered the old mark with a 4:01.97 race, half a second off the win among 30 men. Freshman pole vaulter TERRILL WEBB (Kenton) continued to re-set the record for the third meet in a row, clearing 10' 8" to finish 5th among 15 women in the competition.
Both the track and field saw a significant number of PR efforts. In the sprints, freshman WHITNEY WARNECKE (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) ran her best time at 200 meters while also landing a 15' 9.50" long jump best which qualified her for the Heartland Conference and All-Ohio championship meets. Fellow freshmen JOEL JACOBSON (Franklin/Carlisle) ran a pair of PR's in the 100 and 200 with the former effort qualifying him for the aforementioned championship meets as well. Joining Jacobson in the best-performance category were sophomore A.J. EHRESMAN (Attica/Seneca East) at 100 meters and freshman R.J. MILLER (Hymera, Ind./North Central) at 200 meters. Freshman BLAKE DREWES (Archbold) had a big day in the high jump, clearing the bar at a new best height of 6' 4" and placing him 3rd among 16 jumpers.
In the middle distance events, freshman MIRANDA HOSTETTLER(Glenmont/West Holmes) PR'd at 800 meters as did freshman PATRICK BREAN (Ashland) in the men's 800. At the 1500 meter distance, Brean ran another best time as did freshman SHAWN CAMPO (Galion) and KATI O'NEILL (Wapakoneta).
As darkness fell, the 5000 meter competitors lit up the night. Freshman ANNA HAIRSTON (Mansfield/Ontario) dropped 33 seconds from her previous effort to finish 5th in a field of 33 women with a time of 19:03.82, good for conference and All-Ohio qualifiers. Sophomore ZACH BRADLEY (Sheffield/Brookside) had a breakthrough race at the distance as well, qualifying for the All-Ohio meet with a finishing time of 16:07.46 while freshman TRAVIS SILER(Sidney/Houston) really put it together for a much-improved 17:01.46 race finish.
Sophomore EDGAR GONZALEZ (Melvindale, Mich./Melvindale) led the way in the throws events with a PR/HCAC qualifying mark of 44' 0.75" in the shot put. Freshman JACOB MORAN (Carey) had a double PR on the day, throwing best performances in both the discus and hammer. Freshmen MASON YINGST (Houston) and DIVAUNTA SPEARMAN(Sandusky/Willard) as well as Parker also PR'd in the hammer throw.
"The rapid and continued development of athletes like Jack and Terrill, setting quality school records in their freshmen year, is emblematic of the progress we are making as a team across the realm of events of track and field," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "If only one event group was setting records and producing PR performances, I would be worried not only about the athletes but about the coaches as well. I think this speaks a lot to the quality of both the athletes and coaches we have here at Bluffton and where we are heading in the future."
The Beavers will return to Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday, April 12, to compete in the All-Ohio championship meet. Field events commence at 11:30 followed by track events at noon.
-BEAVERS-