February 8, 2015

ADA, Ohio - The Bluffton University Beavers traveled to Polar Bear land on Saturday to compete in the Joe Banks Invitational at Ohio Northern University. As with any track and field meet, the teams saw wins and losses throughout the day.

Again highlighting the weekend with wins were sophomore TREY EVERETT (Sidney/Fairlawn) and freshman SARAH HUNTER (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale). Everett started his morning with a win in the long jump, sailing into the pit 22' 11.75" to further his own school record and land him 13th on the current NCAA list as well as 2nd among All-Ohio and HCAC championship qualifiers. He then cleared 6' 9" in high jump, showing good consistency in his season to date.  Hunter, running smart tactics, bested the field of 21 with the only sub-60 clocking of the day, bettering her school record to 59.55 in the 400 meters. Her time is 2nd among All-Ohio qualifiers and leads the HCAC list. 

Having an outstanding day in the field events was junior EDGAR GONZALEZ (Melvindale, Mich./Melvindale). His weight throw of 52' 07.25" was a personal best, placed him 3rd in the field of 33 competitors, is 7th among All-Ohio qualifiers and leads the HCAC list. While not a PR, his performance in the shot put earned him 8th place and in the team scoring among the 37 men who entered the ring. Several other field competitors added to the highlights with junior KRISTIN SCHIEFER (Bucyrus/Wynford) qualifying for the conference championship in high jump and setting a new PR in the long jump. Joining her on the personal record list were fellow long jumper, junior HANNAH KRULL (Lewisburg/Tri-County North), as well as sophomores DIVAUNTA SPEARMAN (Sandusky/Willard) and ALEX PARKER (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley) in the weight throw.

On the track, freshman BRANDON LOWERY (Perrysburg) advanced to the final of the 60 meter hurdles where he finished tied for 2nd at 8.67.  Sophomore TY WHITE (Orrville) ran an indoor best 51.26 over 400 meters, placing him 4th in the field of 35 as well as 3rd on the  HCAC list and 11th among All-Ohio qualifiers. Sophomore ANNA HAIRSTON(Mansfield/Ontario) ran a half minute PR over 3000 meters to place 7th in a field of 28 and qualify for the conference championship in the process. Fellow 3k competitor, freshman ELAINA ALPETER (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley), ran a PR time as well. 

Also posting PR's on the men's side were sophomore PATRICK BREAN(Ashland) in the 3000 meters and freshman CHRIS BRENNER (Defiance) in the 60 meter hurdles.

"It was a day with ups and downs," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "As coaches and athletes, you go from the high of wins and PRs to the lows of a missed exchange zone and false start in two relays where we were going for school records and faster qualifiers for the upcoming championship meets.  That's the nature of sports, though. The human condition is such that we can't program an athlete for the perfect performance every time. I am extremely happy with the results of Trey and Sarah but my shout-out of the day goes to Edgar. He came to me after freshman football asking to join the team. By the end of that indoor season, his best in the weight throw was 45' 1.50". Saturday's performance of 52' 7.25" is a testament to the three years of hard work, dedication and commitment Edgar brings to both his athletics and academics."

The Beavers will divide their competition between the Defiance College Open on Friday, Feb. 13 and the All-Ohio Championship at Otterbein University on Saturday, Feb. 14.

-BEAVERS-