January 17, 2015
FINDLAY, Ohio - At the Northwest Ohio Invitational hosted by the University of Findlay on Friday, Jan. 16, the Bluffton University men’s and women’s track and field team had a number of quality performances.
Despite a rough preliminary round in the 60 meter hurdles, freshman Brandon Lowery (Perrysburg) made the 8th, and last, qualifying spot to the final where he proved his mettle with a 6th place finish in a new personal and school-record time of 8.67 in a field comprised of seniors and one junior. In the 400 meters, fellow freshman Sarah Hunter (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale) broke the school record, running 60.49, placing 3rd in a field of 11 and qualifying for the HCAC championship. Sophomore Ty White (Orrville) topped all competitors at 800 meters, winning the event in a field of 28 with an HCAC qualifier of 1:58.59 which, like Lowery’s and Hunter’s performances, should also advance him to the All-Ohio championship meet.
Also qualifying for the conference championship were junior Edgar Gonzalez (Melvindale, Mich./Melvindale) in both the shot put and weight throw with performances of 44’ 4.75” in shot, a season best, and 49’ 6.25” in weight, a lifetime best, as well as fellow thrower, freshman D’Nae Reese (Columbus/Upper Arlington). Reese’s 40’ 5.50” weight throw was also a new personal-best performance while her shot performance placed her 10th in a field of 27 and notably the first freshman.
Joining the PR ranks were junior Aron Gibson (Caledonia/River Valley) in shot; sophomore DIVaunta Spearman (Sandusky/Willard) in weight; and sophomore Patrick Brean (Ashland) at both the 800 and mile distances.
“As one of the men said to me after the meet, ‘It’s nice to see our athletes placing in events here’,” said Head Coach Karen Brandt. “Bluffton has not had a tradition of track and field for many years, a trend we coaches and athletes are working hard to reverse. It is gratifying to know that the athletes are seeing the fruits of hard work and taking pleasure not only in their personal successes, but that the team is advancing across the various disciplines of track and field.”
The Beavers will return to Findlay next weekend for the Indoor Track & Field Classic. On Friday, Jan. 23 field events contested will be the weight throw with the women starting at 3:30 p.m. as well as women’s pole vault at 4:30 p.m. Track events for the Beavers will include the 5000 meters (6:45 p.m. start) and distance medley relay (DMR).
-BEAVERS-
