April 23, 2016
ADA, Ohio - The Bluffton University track and field team traveled to neighbor Ohio Northern University on Friday and Saturday, April 22-23 for their final tune-up meet before hosting the HCAC Championship meet.
While many of the track athletes “under raced” their primary events, there were nevertheless quite a few sterling performances. Junior Anna Hairston (Mansfield/Ontario) bettered her own 1500 meter school record with a clocking of 4:59.47, good for 3rd in a field of 27. She returned to the track later in the afternoon where she also eclipsed her previous best time over 800 meters. Big barrier-breaking performances were the name of the day in the sprint races. Sophomore Thaddeus Phillips (South Bend, Ind./Riley) smashed through the 23-second barrier in the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.75.
Junior Terrill Webb (Kenton), after placing second in the pole vault, came back for an outdoor PR at the same distance in 26.99. But the Beaver sprinter of the day was freshman Keturah Warlilck (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) who broke through the 13-second wall in the 100 meters with a time of 12.91! She too returned to the track later in the afternoon to run a speedy PR 26.90 in the 200 meters. Sophomore Kyle Knezovich (Utica) was not to be outdone by the sprint crew as he ran a big PR in the 110 meter hurdles, stopping the clock at 16.06.
The middle distance group also saw new best performances from freshman Jennie Matteson (Guysville/Alexander) with a pair of them at the 800 and 1500 meter distances as well as junior Miranda Hostettler (Glenmont/West Holmes), also in the 800. Senior Aron Gibson (Caledonia/River Valley) heaved the shot to a new lifetime best and threw a season-best distance in the discus.
“It is nice to wind down the regular season with a close-to-home meet with not so much travel,” said Head Coach Karen Brandt. “I think it gives our team a chance to unwind a bit while getting ready for the conference championship. I think they are looking forward to competing at home during the championship and are looking forward to putting their best on display. A lot of hard work has gone in to the season and they are ready to show it off.”
The HCAC Track and Field Championship meet will be held at Bluffton Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30. Track and field events begin at 3 p.m. Friday and resume Saturday at 11 a.m. Admission is $5.00 for adults 18 and over; $3.00 students ages 6 to 18; free for children under 5.
HCAC Championship Meet Schedule
-BEAVERS-
