By: Connor Gulick, Head Cross Country Coach
TIFFIN, Ohio - The Beavers hit the road on Saturday, Jan. 25, when they traveled over to Tiffin University for the Tiffin Open. The meet featured a healthy portion of Division II talent, but the squad didn't bat an eye.
Senior Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton) was victorious in the 60 hurdles with a time of 8.39. Senior Russell Lough (Wintersville/Indian Creek) also had a top 8 finish in the 200 with a time of 23.55.
There were also PR's set in the 60 meter dash as the freshmen trio of Gage Gleespen (Morral/Ridgedale), Seth Bova (Bellevue), and Keith Dailey (Moody, TX/Moody) went 7.53, 7.71 and 7.82 respectively.
On the distance side, junior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) finished with a time of 2:10.98, taking over four seconds off his time from a week ago. Freshman Jordan Croy (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) also took home a new college PR of 5:29.87 in the mile.
"I thought this meet was a good step forward for us. Although we didn't quite hit the times that some were shooting for, I saw a lot of growth in terms of the aggressiveness and the race tactics that are really going to help us come the end of the season," Distance Coach Connor Gulick said about how his squad performed.
In the throws, freshman Daniel Crutcher (Memphis, Tenn./St. Georges Independent) threw a new PR in shot put, cracking the 10-meter mark for the first time with a throw of 10.17.
On the women's side, sophomore Amelia Adams (Celina) continued her strong start in high jump as she took home 3rd with a new PR of 1.50 meters which also places her 3rd in the HCAC as well.
The distance squad showed out as freshman Sara Smith (Mansfield/Madison Comprehensive) took a top 10 finish in the mile with a time of 5:47.75. Freshman Kamryn McDonald (Marion/Harding) also took home a double PR as she broke her high school PR's in both the mile and 800 with 6:29.81 and 3:00.58, respectively. Senior Basil Gates (Galion), despite battling with some sickness, had a strong 800 with a time of 2:50.64 after running the mile earlier in the day.
"We had a great showing at a big meet. Our young men and women went with an agenda and set some great personal records. Couldn't be more proud," Head Coach Chris Scott.
The Beavers will head back to ONU on Friday, Jan. 31, for the Joe Banks Invitational.
-BEAVERS-