January 24, 2015
FINDLAY, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's and women's track and field team had an outstanding two days of competition, January 23-24, at the Indoor Track & Field Classic hosted by Findlay University.
Freshman SARAH HUNTER (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale) shattered the 800 meter school record, in only her second running of the event indoors, taking a whopping 10 seconds off the previous mark with her 2:18.86 performance. She placed second in a photo finish with a runner from Trine University who was clocked in the same time, making their efforts a difference of only a few thousandths of a second and tying them for 10th on the current NCAA indoor national championship qualifying list. Hunter's effort also leads both of the current All-Ohio and HCAC qualifier lists.
Earlier in the day, sophomore TREY EVERETT (Sidney/Fairlawn) erased the previous long jump record with a new personal best, hitting the sand 22' 9" from the take-off board. Everett is currently in a 3-way tie for 8th best on the NCAA list, lies second on the All-Ohio chart and leads the current HCAC list. In the mile, sophomore JACK FISHER (Norwalk/St. Paul) shaved a fraction off his own school record, clocking 4:30.31, an HCAC qualifier. Likewise, freshman BRANDON LOWERY (Perrysburg), despite a poor start from the blocks, took another 1/100th off his personal best and school record, finishing 6th in the final with a time of 8.66.
During Friday night's 5000 meter race, junior ZACH BRADLEY(Sheffield/Brookside) eclipsed the school record with a personal-best time of 16:03.99 and qualified for the HCAC meet.
Joining their teammates on the HCAC list of qualifiers were sophomore ANNA HAIRSTON (Mansfield/Ontario) who ran 19:35.85 for 5000 meters; freshman AUGIE ESPINOZA (Prescott Valley, Ari./Bradshaw Mountain) with a time of 52.90 over 400 meters; and freshman KYLE KNEZOVICH (Utica) in the 60 meter hurdles at 9.32.
Establishing new personal bests during the weekend were junior EDGAR GONZALEZ (Melvindale, Mich.), weight throw; sophomore ARON GIBSON (Caledonia/River Valley), shot put; sophomore PATRICK BREAN(Galion), 5000; freshman KRIS LYONS (Vickery/Margaretta), 3000 meters; freshman ELAINA ALPETER (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley), mile and 800; and juniors KRISTIN SCHIEFER (Bucyrus/Wynford) and HANNAH KRULL(Lewisburg/Tri-County North) at both 60 and 200 meters. Seasonal-best performances were accomplished by JEFF PARKER (Bristol, Ind./Northridge) and ALEX PARKER (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley) in weight and DIVAUNTA SPEARMAN (Sandusky/Willard) in shot put. Schiefer also had a season best in the high jump competition.
"It was a gratifying two days of competition", said Head Coach, Karen Brandt. "My husband/distance coach and I had seen Hunter run the 4 x 800 during high school and while we knew she saw her specialty as the 400 meters, we saw a lot of untapped potential at double the distance. Sarah is both a hard worker and tough competitor but we weren't sure if she would believe what we felt we saw. I think she erased a lot of doubt for herself today. Everett continues to hone his skill at the long jump and will be a potent threat again doubling in both long and high jumps. Bradley's 5000 meter race has been a long time coming. It will be with pleasure that I put his name among the school records. Across the board, this is a quality group of young adults we have the pleasure to coach. They are laying the groundwork for continued growth and increased performance for the program."
Selected athletes will compete next weekend at either the Findlay University Elite Throws Competition on Friday, Jan. 30, or at the SPIRE Midwest Indoor Track & Field Open on Saturday, Jan. 31.
-BEAVERS-