By: Connor Gulick, Head Cross Country Coach
The Bluffton University Track and Field Team traveled to Anderson University for the HCAC Indoor Championships on Saturday, March 1, 2025
The men's team finished with a 4th place finish led by the senior duo of Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton) and Russell Lough (Wintersville/Indian Creek). Gist took gold in the 60 hurdles, silver in the 60-meter dash, and 4th in long jump. Lough brought home the other gold medal for the mens team as he was victorious in the 400 for the first time in his career. The duo then teamed up with freshmen Jalen Jackson (Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway) and Devin Homan (Dayton/Stebbins), earning silver in both 4x200 and 4x400, the latter was a new school record by two seconds.
In the jumps, senior Kyle Manns (Ottoville), making his season debut, secured valuable points with a 3rd place finish in high Jump. Senior Joey Bonham (Vanlue) also had a strong day in jumps, finishing 6th in high Jump and 4th in triple jump.
On the distance side, freshman Malcolm Hudson (Villa Rica, Ga./Villa Rica) continued shaving time off of his 800 running 2:16.68.
Distance Coach Connor Gulick had this to say about how the team competed this weekend, "I thought that everyone left everything that they had out on the track and saw a lot of big time performances. I think this will give the team a lot of confidence as we transition to outdoor season."
The women finished 8th, led by the big day from sophomore Amelia Adams (Celina). She took home gold in high jump and placed 4th in pole vault. She then teamed up with seniors Kinsey Myers (Strykler) and Kailea Kerr (Manchester, Ind.) along with freshman Darbie Dillon (Mt. Gilead) to take 5th in the 4x200.
On the distance side, freshmen Sara Smith (Mansfield/Madison Comprehensive) was also able to secure some points for the team, taking 8th in the mile. Senior Basil Gates (Galion) went out with a bang in the final indoor meet, running season bests in both the 5k, with a time of 19:53.75 which was good for 9th place, and 3k with a time of 11:33.02.
"Finishing off our season here at conference was amazing. So many great performances we could not have asked for anything better. Thank you to all our athletes for laying it on the line and thank you coaches for helping get them to this level!" said Head Coach Chris Scott on the squad's performance in his conference debut.
The 2025 outdoor season kicks off at Berea on Saturday, March 29.
-BEAVERS-