March 26, 2016
CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Bluffton University track and field squad traveled southward on Saturday the 26th to the plains of Cedarville University to compete in the Yellow Jacket Invitational. The day's competition saw a number of quality Beaver performances but overall the meet belonged to the team's throwers.
Senior EDGAR GONZALEZ (Melvindale, Mich./Melvindale) continued his impressive season with a big PR toss in the hammer of 163' 8" (49.90 meters) good for 2nd overall, 1st collegian, in a field of 20. He was joined in the PR department in the hammer by fellow senior ALEX PARKER (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley) who placed 3rd, as well as by sophomore ERICK BENGE(Monrovia, Ind./Monrovia) and freshman ZACH PACHIS(Massillon/Massillon Christian). Throwing season bests in the event were senior ARON GIBSON (Caledonia/River Valley) and junior DIVAUNTA SPEARMAN (Sandusky/Willard). Not to be outdone in the PR performance category were a trio of freshmen, Zach Pachis, MAELINN DELONG(Archbold/Bryan) and MORGAN HAYNES (London) in the shot put while sophomore D'NAE REESE (Columbus/Upper Arlington) achieved a season best in the event. In women's pole vault, TERRILL WEBB (Kenton) and SARAH OLIVER (Lexington) placed 2nd and 8th, respectively, earning points for the team.
On the track, sophomore KYLE KNEZOVICH (Utica) dropped another big PR in the 400 hurdles, placing 3rd in a field of 12 with a time of 56.74. In the short sprints, freshman KETURAH WARLICK (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) posted a PR at 100 meters and sophomore THADDEUS PHILLIPS (South Bend, Ind./Riley) at 200 meters. At the 400 meter distance, SARAH HUNTER (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale) and QUINCY SALCIDO(Van Wert) both finished in points-paying positions, at 4th and 8th, respectively. At mid-distance, junior MIRANDA HOSTETTLER (Glenmont/West Holmes) and freshman MICHELLE KELSEY (South Whitley, Ind./Whitko) both ran best times for the 1,500 meters.
"After the horrible weather of last Saturday's meet and a very fractured week of practice working around our under-construction throws facility, I am really proud of how they all performed today," said throws coach Jason Fisher. "We've had some struggles with technique so it's really good to see them put the pieces of their training together and get some good performances today."
The Beavers travel to Hanover College on Saturday, April 2, where both track and field events start at 11 a.m.
-BEAVERS-