FINDLAY, Ohio - The Bluffton University men’s and women’s track and field team traveled to the University of Findlay to compete in the Northwest Ohio Invitational. In a field of Division 2 and NAIA scholarship-granting schools, the Beavers were one of only two Division 3 teams and they showed their ability to match up with upper echelon competition.

Junior D’Nae Reese (Columbus/Upper Arlington), with a new school record weight throw that proved the determination and hard work she has put in thus far this season, placed 7th among the 31 competitors, being bested only by athletes from throws powerhouses Ashland and Findlay. More importantly, among competitors nationwide through Friday’s meet, Reese holds the 3rd best throw in the nation among Division 3 athletes with a distance of 17.34 meters or 56’ 10.75”. Also finding herself 3rd on the NCAA list among women pole vaulters is senior Terrill Webb (Kenton). Webb won the competition with a clearance of 3.62 meters, 11’ 10.75”, as she continues to work through some technical issues in her approach.

In her debut meet of the season, sophomore Keturah Warlick (East Point, Mich./Clintondale) impressed by advancing out of a large field in the preliminary round of the 60 meter dash with 8.40 seconds and followed up with 8.38 in the semi, both times which qualify her for the HCAC conference championship meet. Fellow sophomore Jennie Matteson (Guysville/Alexander) placed 5th in a field of 19 in the women’s mile while freshman Haylee Zigan (Newark/Licking Valley) ran an indoor PR at the 800 meter distance. Freshman Alexis Cash (Gaines, MI/Lake Fenton) saw a big improvement in her 3000 meter time, dropping 14 seconds from her first attempt at the distance, placing 8th in a field of 24.

From the men’s team, freshman Stanley Williams (Sterling Heights, Mich./Chippewa Valley) continues to do well, finishing 6th among the field of 23 long jumpers. In pole vault, junior Kyle Knezovich (Utica) and freshman Justin Kauffman (Smithville) placed 5th and 6th, respectively, among the 11 vaulters in action.

“We are all very happy for D’Nae,” said Head Coach Karen Brandt. “After so narrowly missing indoor nationals last year (Reese was 18th in the nation; 17 advance to the NCAA championship), D’Nae set her sights on making it this year. She is a testament to the value of goal setting, hard work, belief in herself and her coach, as well as of allowing herself to dream big. She and Webb still have a lot of work to do and need to continue to improve their performances to ensure advancing to nationals. But it is very gratifying to see them at this early part of the season doing so well. They are building the skills and laying the groundwork they need for the success they want.”

The Beavers will continue their indoor campaign Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Tiffin University  Dragon Open. Both track and field events start at noon.

-BEAVERS-