By: Connor Gulick, Head Cross Country Coach

ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Beavers made the two-day trip on Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, to Mount Union for the John Homan Open and they went ready to compete against competition from all Divisions.

Kicking off the weekend with a bang on Saturday was Junior Coen North (Denver/North) who continues his strong start to his season, taking home the win in Javelin with a new school record of 59.35 meters. This record stood since 1982 and stood so long that the Javelin weight had changed. This mark also put him 3rd in HCAC history and ranks him 23rd in the nation. Senior Bowden Jerome (Canal Winchester) also had a big day in the hammer throw, besting his previous PR on all three of his throws and ending with a mark of 31.40 meters.

Day two also saw a lot of fireworks as Senior Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton) showed out on the day, winning the 110 Hurdles with a time of 14.43 while improving his time and placing him 12th in the nation for the event. Gist also had a season best in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.94 as well as the 200 with a time of 21.81 which broke the previous record of 21.92 from 1992. This puts him 1st in the conference. Senior Russell Lough (Wintersville/Indian Creek) also had a strong day for the sprints squad as he saw a PR in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.43 and a season best in the 400 with a time of 49.23, taking 3rd in the event. Other PR performances from the sprints group includes freshmen Jase Bailey (Orlando, Fla. ) who continues to drop time in the 200 with a time of 25.31

In the jumps, senior Kyle Manns (Ottoville) made his season debut in high jump, hitting a mark of 1.83m which qualified him for the conference meet.

On the women's side, junior Paige Smith (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) kicked off the weekend with a massive season best of 33.43, topping her previous best by over four meters.

On day 2, the distance squad really stole the show as senior Basil Gates (Galion) started off with a huge PR in the 10k with a time of 40.37.20 taking fourth place. This time also ranks 2nd in the conference and is 5th all-time in Bluffton history. Freshmen Sara Smith (Mansfield/Madison Comprehensive) then wrapped up the day with her 5k debut, running 19.22.86 which ranks 9th in the conference and shaved she two and a half minutes from her time in high school.

"The distance squad had a huge day today. We knew these races were there and we just needed an opportunity to show what we can do and execute the race exactly how we want to. The work is starting to show itself and I think they are ready for big things come conference time," Distance Coach Connor Gulick said about how the duo performed on the day.

On the sprints side, freshmen Darbie Dillon (Mt. Gilead) had a big day, running a PR performance in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.99, 200-meter dash with a time of 29.24, and the 400 meter dash with a time of 1:08.03. Senior Kinsey Myers (Stryker) also had a season best in the 400 with a time of 1:07.00. Sophomore Amelia Adams (Celina) had a PR in the 200 with a time of 29.07.

In jumps, Adams continues to find her groove with pole vault as she cleared a new best with 2.86 meters.

"Our meet started strong with throwers setting a great tempo. When it came to day two, that same energy continued into our runs and jumps. As a team we looked outstanding," stated Head Coach Chris Scott about how he felt the energy carried all weekend.

The Beavers travel to Ohio Northern on Saturday, April 19, for the Mike Becraft Invite in the last tune up meet before HCAC.

-BEAVERS-