December 3, 2016
TIFFIN, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's and women's track and field teams opened their 2016-17 indoor campaign in fine fashion Saturday at the Tiffin University Alumni Open Invitational. A number of quality performances were achieved resulting in qualifications, wins and best performances.
Highlighting the day were two performances that placed Bluffton athletes near the top of the current NCAA national lists. While very much in the early days of the new season, senior veteran TERRILL WEBB (Kenton) is tied for 3rd best in the women's pole vault rankings while freshman STANLEY WILLIAMS (Sterling Heights, Mich./Chippewa Valley) landed in the 4th position in the long jump. Webb's clearance of 11' 7.75" won the Tiffin competition while Williams' jump of 22' 10.75", a lifetime best, placed 3rd among 21 competitors. Much work and improved performances need to be done to punch a ticket to the national championship in March but it was an impressive start to the season for these two and bodes well for their futures at both the All-Ohio and HCAC conference championships.
A number of fellow Beavers placed well and posted conference qualifiers along with Webb and Williams. Senior JACK FISHER(Norwalk/St. Paul) was 2nd out of 15 in the 3000 meters at 9:15.39; junior D'NAE REESE (Columbus/Upper Arlington) had the 4th best weight throw out of the 30 competitors with a distance of 54' 4.75"; sophomore QUINCY SALCIDO (Van Wert) ran 52.50 for 5th of 16 in the 400 meters; while freshman TORI BOWEN complimented Webb's win with a 6th place 10' 8" clearance among the 15 vaulters. Also posting qualifying marks were junior KYLE KNEZOVICH (Utica) in both the 60 meter hurdles and pole vault; freshman BRITTANY BREIER (Archbold/Stryker) in long jump; and senior DIVAUNTA SPEARMAN (Sandusky/Willard) with a new best weight throw.
Bringing home PR performances were freshman CONNOR GULICK (St. Louisville, Ohio/Utica) in the mile; junior KRIS LYONS(Vickery/Margaretta) in the 3000 meters; and both Reese and Spearman in the shot put. Sophomore DEVONY MILLER(Findlay/Liberty-Benton) won the mile in a field of 12 competitors while the Beavers swept the top three spots of the 3000 meters as senior ANNA HAIRSTON (Mansfield/Ontario) won followed by freshman ALEXIS CASH (Gaines, MI/Lake Fenton) and sophomore JENNIE MATTESON (Guysville/Alexander) in the field of 13.
"It was a good start to the season," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "Opening with an early December meet is a good way for both coaches and athletes to assess what the work of the fall has produced and provide a barometer of the works that needs to be done for continued development. As with any meet, there were athletes who fell short of their goals or coaches' expectations while there were others who went beyond what they thought they were capable of this early. Either way, it is the attitude each takes home over semester break that will determine the commitment he or she makes to training in order to be ready for the next meet in early January. Overall I was pleased with team chemistry and effort and look forward to seeing the season unfold."
The Beavers will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. at Hillsdale College (MI).
-BEAVERS-