DEFIANCE, Ohio- The Beavers kicked off their indoor track season with the Dick Small Invitational in Defiance on Friday, Jan. 14. With a fresh new coaching staff, the Beavers showed up ready to compete.

The field events kicked off the meet at 4 p.m. In the men's shot put competition, sophomore Markus Finley (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) set a new personal record of 13.03m. Also coming in with an impressive 3rd-place performance during the shot put competition was freshman Blake Longest (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North), setting a first-time collegiate PR of 12.14m and securing a 5th-place finish.

In the men's weight throw, junior Wyatt Walker (Farmland, Ind./Monroe Central Jr./Sr.) placed 3rd with a new PR of 11.79m. In the women's competition, junior Emma Payne (Hicksville) took home 1st place with a two-meter gap between her and the second place competitor, throwing a mark of 12.98. Also competing in the weight throw was sophomore Maggie Hartzler (Rittman/Norwayne) who placed 3rd with a mark of 11.00m, and sophomore Amanda Scott (Millbury/Lake) finished in 4th, setting a new PR with a mark of 10.66m.

The thrower's coach, Stephanie Fox, was excited with all the athlete's performances at the meet, saying, "I guess besides stating their impressive throws, I'd have to say that I am extremely proud of everyone who competed yesterday. They all had a great day, and I am excited to see what they can all accomplish this indoor season!"

In the men's high jump, freshman Kyle Manns (Ottoville) took home 1st place with a collegiate PR of 1.83m. "I think Kyle dealt with the pressure very well for his first collegiate meet and did a great job of staying focused, he cleared two different heights on his 3rd attempt," said Coach Ben Markison. In the women's high jump, Freshman Olivia Rider (Celina) placed in 3rd and set a collegiate PR with a mark of 1.40m.

Following the field events were the running events. In the men's 60 meter dash, Sophomore Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton) finished in 4th place overall, setting a .25 second PR from last year for a time of 7.16. In the women's 60 meter dash, junior Madalynn Schifer (Bucyrus) tied her time she ran last year at the end of her indoor season and finished in 5th place with a time of 8.39.

In the men's 200 meter dash, Gist finished in 3rd place with a time of 23.78, and his teammates Jayden McConnell (Sunbury/Big Walnut) (24.20) and Blayden McCoy (Fresno/Ridgewood) (24.53) both set new PRs.

On the distance side, freshman Clara Matthews (Bluffton) took home 3rd place in the mile race with a time of 6:32.62, setting a collegiate PR, followed by senior Hope Nixon (Johnstown/Johnstown-Monroe) who placed 4th with a time of 6:36.05.

In the men's 3000m race, sophomore Alex Montross (Perrysburg) took 4th with a time of 9:56.86, followed by freshman Cole Kropka (New London) who finished in 5th place with a time of 10:06.03. In the women's 3000m race, sophomore Miranda Billman (Castalia/Margaretta) ran a gutsy race and claimed 2nd with a time of 12:42.88.

Head Coach Scott Black was very pleased with the team's first performance of the year, saying, "It was great to see a number of personal bests to start the season. This meet served as a great starting point and I'm excited to see everyone build upon their performances moving forward."

The Beavers continue forward as they spend the week training before heading to Tiffin to compete on Saturday, Jan. 22.

-BEAVERS-