By: Connor Gulick, Head Cross Country Coach
ADA, Ohio - The BBluffton University Track and Field Team made the trip back to the frozen tundra of Ohio Northern for the Joe Banks Invitational on Friday, Jan. 31. This meet featured many Ohio Athletic Conference schools as well as some NAIA competition.
Taking home double podium for the Beavers was senior Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton) as he was victorious in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.19, matching his season best on the day, and he claimed silver in the 60 meter dash with a season best of 7.00 which places him 3rd in the HCAC. Also bringing home a sliver was senior Russell Lough (Wintersville, Ohio/Indian Creek) who was just edged out at the line, but still ran a season best and 400-meter track PR of 50.87 which puts him atop the HCAC. Lough also came back in the 200 later in the day and took 4th with a time of 23.28.
The sprints squad also saw a lot of PR performances in the 60 as Senior Ja'Ce Nutt (Miamisburg/Valley View) finished in 7.71 and freshman Keith Dailey (Moody, TX/Moody) took home another PR with a 7.74. There were also PR performances in the 200 from the squad as freshmen Jase Bailey finished in a new best of 25.75.
"With a strong performance all around we made some amazing strides!! These young men and women put it all on the track this meet!" Head Coach Chris Scott said about the team's effort and support of one another in the meet.
On the distance side, junior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) ran a gutsy mile, finishing in 4:52.13 while setting a new PR
Freshman Daniel Crutcher (Memphis, Tenn./St. Georges Independent) continues to have a strong start to the season as he topped his previous best on all three throws, including a throw of 10.67 meters.
The women's team had a strong showing as a whole and saw two top 5 finishes as sophomore Amelia Adams (Celina) took 4th in high jump with a leap of 1.48 meters and freshmen Sara Smith (Mansfield/Madison Comprehensive) took 4th in her 3k debut, running 11:36.63 and qualifying for the HCAC.
The rest of the sprints squad showed out as well as freshmen Darbie Dillon (Mount Gilead) ran a double PR in the 60-meter dash and 200 with times of 8.91 and 30.38, respectively. Senior Kinsey Myers (Stryker) also come out with a pair of season bests in the 60 and 200 with times of 9.16 and 30.68.
In the distance events, freshman Kamryn McDonald (Marion/Harding) PR'd the 3k with a time of 12:51.84. Senior Basil Gates (Galion) took a big step forward on the season, running a double season best in the mile (5:57.02) and the 800 (2:43.98). Freshman Jenna Stewart made her season debut after being sidelined since the beginning of the cross-country season, finishing the 800 with a time of 3:02.14.
"I thought overall this was a great meet for the team," said Distance Coach Connor Gulick about the team's performance, "I saw a lot of aggressiveness and grit from the team in every event and it showed as nearly every person had a PR or a season best performance on the day."
The harriers will travel to Angola, Ind., on Friday, Feb. 7, for the Mr. G Invitational hosted by Trine University and former Bluffton Head Coach Ben Markison.
-BEAVERS-
