May 21, 2018
BLUFFTON, Ohio - Freshman Gabe Makin (Elida) has punched his ticket for the Division III Outdoor Track and Field Nationals which will be held on the campus of UW-Lacrosse this week! The Heartland Conference pole vault champion at both the indoor and outdoor championships will take his talents to Wisconsin to compete against the top vaulters in the nation. The men's pole vault is slated for a noon start on Saturday, May 26 (Central Time).
Makin made it official when he broke the school record in men's pole vault, held since 2004 by Bluffton vault coach Clint Dillon, with a Heartland Conference winning clearance of 16-1.25. That height also established a new conference championship meet record and he is tied for 12th in the nation among Division 3 vaulters.
The standout freshman continued Bluffton's recent tradition of sending field athletes to the national championship meet. Terrill Webb was a three-time pole vault qualifier in 2016 and 2017, while D'Nae Reese placed 11th in the weight throw (55-7) at the 2017 indoor nationals. Webb, the 2016 HCAC Female Athlete of the year, was a two-time All-American in 2016 with a 3rd place finish at the outdoor championships following a 6th place showing indoors! Trey Everett ignited Bluffton's run when he took 3rd place at the 2015 indoor nationals (high jump).
Makin earned indoor All-HCAC honors for his win in the men’s pole vault competition. His clearance of 4.75 meters (15-7) established a new championship meet record as well as the vote of the conference head coaches for Most Outstanding Male Field Athlete of the meet.
Senior Kyle Knezovich (Utica) joined Makin as Great Lakes All-Region honorees for the 2018 outdoor season. His 15-4.5 vault at the Heartland Conference championships propelled him to All-Region for the second consecutive year.
CLICK HERE for the 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships information.
BEAVERS-
