By Bryson Hartzler

The Bluffton University track and field program traveled to the campus of Baldwin-Wallace to compete in the Sparky Adams Invitational on Saturday, April 20. Unseasonably cold weather and snow flurries made for less than desirable conditions, but the Beavers were still able to post several personal best thanks in large part to the throwing contingent.

The meet got started Friday evening with the hammer throw where freshman Chase Walters (Convoy/Crestview) led the way for the Beavers with a throw of 139-1. Walters' mark was a personal-best throw as well as a conference qualifier. Fellow teammates Alex Parker (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley) and Edgar Gonzalez (Melvindale, Mich.) also had personal-best throws in the event as well.

Elsewhere in the throwing arena, Justin Yingst (Houston) had a personal-best throw in the discus, while Jeff Parker (Bristol, Ind.) continued his success in the javelin with a 2nd place finish. Tyler Keefer (Fayette) had a personal-best throw in the javelin as well.

Other personal bests on the day came from Josh Cunningham (Poquoson, Va.) in the 5k where he ran a very tactical race to shave 33 seconds of his previous best from three weeks ago. Kristin Schiefer (Bucyrus/Wynford) joined in on the action when she topped out in the high jump with a personal-best jump.

Weather conditions inhibited mass personal bests and school records, but Head Coach Karen Brandt was pleased with the resolve from her team, “Really proud of the throwers for performing well in cold and windy conditions, handling metal in temperatures like these can not be fun. Despite the wind we still had some good performances, especially proud of Cunningham’s big PR in the 5k. However, I am very much hoping for mild conditions next weekend at the conference championships."

The Beavers will take this week to prepare for the season finale at the HCAC outdoor championships held on the campus of Manchester University.