January 15, 2016
FINDLAY, Ohio - Despite starting the meet one day and finishing it in the early hours of the morning of the next, the Beavers were undaunted as they competed in the largely Division II field at the Northwest Ohio Invitational hosted by Findlay University.
Throughout an evening of many superlative performances, it was a night for Bluffton's women to shine. Junior TERRILL WEBB (Kenton) took the spotlight early on, clearing a PR 12' to win the women's pole vault competition and yet again break her own school record. Joining Webb in the PR/school record department were sophomore D'NAE REESE (Columbus/Upper Arlington), taking the 2012 weight record down with a toss of 50' 10", placing 9th in the field of 26, and freshman KETURAH WARLICK (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) who replaced the 2006 60 meter record with an 8.34 clocking.
Joining their fellow Beavers among the ranks of HCAC conference championship qualifiers were sophomore SARAH HUNTER (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale) and junior JACK FISHER (Norwalk/St. Paul), each with a solid 800 meter performance. Hunter stopped the clock at 2:21.26, good for 3rd in a field of 13 while Fisher returned to form with a 2:01.69 finish, 6th among 26 competitors. Freshman vaulter SARAH OLIVER (Lexington), after a rough start to her collegiate career in the first two meets, also exceeded the qualifying standard.
Coach Jason Fisher's crew of throwers once again came through at crunch time, racking up a number of PR or season-best performances in addition to Reese's school record. Senior EDGAR GONZALEZ (Melvindale, Mich./Melvindale) improved his weight throw yet again, placing an impressive 5th out of 30 followed by a season best in the shot put, good for 11th out of 42. Seniors ARON GIBSON (Caledonia/River Valley) and ALEX PARKER (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley) also improved their lifetime bests in the weight as did sophomore ERICK BENGE (Monrovia, Ind./Monrovia) and freshman ERIN HERRE (Norwood). Junior DIVAUNTA SPEARMAN'S(Sandusky/Willard) effort in the weight was his best to date this season.
On the track, Warlick not only improved her 60 meter time with the new school record but took additional time from her previous 200 meter efforts as well. At the 3000 meter distance, sophomore CHRIS TATOM (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) and freshmen JONAH ECKERT (Terre Haute, Ind./West Vigo) and MICHAEL LEHMAN (West Liberty/West Liberty-Salem) all ran PRs.
"It was extremely gratifying to see Terrill and Coach Dillon celebrate her clearance," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "That height is one of those 'milestone' performances in women's vaulting, like breaking two minutes for the 800 in men's middle distance running for example. Terrill has persevered through injuries and setbacks for two and a half years, exercising patience and hard work, never losing faith in her coach and occasionally rebuilding her self-confidence to do what she did last night. She has more work to do, but this was a big step in her overall collegiate goals. Likewise, it was very rewarding to see D'Nae take the school record in women's weight. She was a decent thrower in high school; I think it is fair to say she is becoming a very good thrower in college. Keturah is a quiet, reserved young lady but she is certainly letting her feet do some talking this winter on the track. Seeing her beautiful smile when she was told about the record was one of those things that helps you remember why you are a coach. Too many young women give up their athletic pursuits from high school. I am both happy and proud to see these three not only continue their efforts, but thrive."
Track and field action will continue Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Tiffin University Dragon Open with events slated to begin at noon.
-BEAVERS-