The Bluffton University men’s and women’s track and field team competed in the Polar Bear Invite at Ohio Northern University in their last regular season meet as a final tune-up before the HCAC Conference Championship meet. 

A number of athletes brought their best game to date which bodes well for next week’s championship. The team’s training load decreases next week in order to be fully rested and ready to rumble in Terre Haute so even better things are set to come.

Highlighting the day’s action was junior Maelinn DeLong (Archbold/Bryan) who broke her own school record in the shot put, placing 6th in the field of 25 with a throw of 39’ 4”. This ranks DeLong 2nd entering next week’s championship, a scant one inch shy of the leading mark. The men’s action was highlighted by two victories. Freshman Gabe Makin (Elida) took the win in pole vault while the men’s 4 x 100 meter relay put on a clinic, winning the event with the quartet of junior Quincy Salcido (Van Wert), freshman Jihad Shockley (Columbus/Oakstone Academy), freshman Keenan Kinnel (Troy) and senior Kyle Knezovich (Utica) who brought the baton across the line in 43.70 after making up a deficit and fighting off challengers to the line. 

A number of other PRs were set in both track and field events. 

Freshman Stephanie Fox (Pickerington/Central) had best performances in both the shot and discus.

Freshman Amanda Setser (Troy) shot put.

Freshman Michael Hildebrandt (Sylvania/Northview) pole vault.

Sophomore Ciana Hostetler (Sugarcreek/Garaway) long jump and 400 meters.

Freshman Jihad Shockley 200 meters.

Sophomore Alexis Cash (Gaines, MI/Lake Fenton) 1500 meters (2nd of 19).

Sophomore Arie Cox (Ontario) 1500 meters.

Sophomore Connor Gulick (St. Louisville/Utica) 1500 meters.

Sophomore Dakota Frost (Edgerton/Hicksville) 1500 meters.

Junior Jonah Eckert (Terre Haute, Ind./West Vigo) 1500 meters.

“This was the first meet of the season where the weather cooperated and we didn’t feel like we were battling the elements just to stay warm or on our feet let alone compete and coach,” said Head Coach Karen Brandt. “Sure, we had our rough patches today, every team does at every meet, but it was good to see so many people rise with the temperatures to quality performances at the right time. Going into the HCAC week, we want a good mind set and today’s meet gave us that. I am really proud of Maelinn. She has fought through a lot of adversities during her three years at Bluffton yet she never gave up or took her eyes off her goals.  Likewise with Michael in the pole vault. He struggled mightily throughout the indoor season and part of outdoor but has kept working at it and is finally reaping rewards.”

The Beavers will travel to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the HCAC Conference Championship to be contested Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. Both track and field events begin at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon. Men’s javelin gets the day started at 9 a.m. on Saturday with the remainder of the field events commencing at 11 a.m. Track action starts at 12:30 p.m.

-BEAVERS-