April 25, 2014

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's and women's track and field team got off to a strong start on day one of the HCAC championship hosted by Defiance College. The Beavers claimed two conference titles, advanced athletes to the final rounds on Saturday and produced numerous PR performances throughout the day.

Junior JEFF PARKER (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) successfully defended his javelin title for the third consecutive year with a toss of 176' 06", besting a field of 26 competitors. In women's pole vault, freshman TERRILL WEBB(Kenton) cleared the bar, setiing her own—new personal record, a new school record and a new conference meet record with a jump of 11' 6.25".

In men's shot put, freshman JACOB MORAN (Carey) advanced to the final where he threw 48' 0.75", a PR performance which placed him third in a field of 30 men. Men's and women's steeplechase were also contested as final events. Senior MARTIN RUSS (Rocky River) placed eighth while sophomore TARA MURPHY (Westerville/Thomas Worthington) just missed the podium but ran a big PR 12:49.49, a 17-second improvement on her previous best.

A number of preliminary rounds were contested which saw Beavers advancing to Saturday's finals. Freshman JOEL JACOBSON (Franklin/Carlisle) will line up in the 100 meters; freshman BLAKE DREWES (Archbold) will compete in the 400 meters; sophomore NICHOLE PETERMAN(Killbuck/West Holmes) and freshman TY WHITE (Orrville), both after having delivered season best times, will race the 800 meter distance; while senior KAYLA MULLENHOUR (Delphos/Jefferson) will tackle the 400 meter hurdles. Sophomore HANNAH KRULL (Lewisburg/Tri-County North), disappointed at placing ninth, the first person not to advance to the final, was nonetheless quite happy with a new PR performance in the 400 meters.

"We had our awards banquet last night," explained Head Coach Karen Brandt, "and I used the occasion not only to bestow honors for the season, but also to motivate our athletes for the weekend's championship. I challenged them to have a plan that incorporated multiple goals, to believe in their preparation and ability to succeed, then to compete with aggression and desire. I am quite pleased with their accomplishments today and look forward to Saturday's slate of finals."

Competition resumes Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with field events while action begins on the track at 11:30 a.m.

-BEAVERS-