By Bryson Hartzler, sports information assistant

The Bluffton University track and field programs returned to action this weekend after the long layoff from winter break. The Beavers traveled to the campus of Capital University to compete in the Capital Challenge. Both the men and women left the track with multiple personal bests.

The day started off well with a strong performance from the men’s and women’s Distance Medley Relay teams. The men’s relay team of Colin McCloskey (Sylvania/Northview), Tyler Keefer (Fayette), Joshua Edens (Westerville/Central) and Zachary Smith (West Unity/Hilltop) had a solid performance in a small field while improving their time to 11:26.

The women’s relay team which featured Alison Janzen (Whitewater, Kan./Remington), Kayla Mullenhour (Delphos/Jefferson), Tara Murphy (Westerville/Thomas Worthington) and Maddie Moore (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) also dropped its time from 14:36 down to 13:51, a 45-second improvement on the season. Senior Alison Janzen had a commendable early season performance in the mile, posting a time of 5:46.

Kendall Weber (Wauseon) followed up her freshman debut with another outstanding performance, capping the day with two first place finishes. The first came in the long jump where Weber improved on her personal best with a jump of 15-11.75. Her mark was merely three inches from breaking the school record.

Weber followed up her long jump performance with a win in the 60m hurdles, crossing the line with a time of 9.96 seconds. Sophomore Travaun Reaves (Berkley, Mich./Berkley) also had an exceptional day with a personal best in the long jump and a 6-0 clearance in the high jump to place second just ahead of teammate Josh Mattoon (Rawson/Cory-Rawson) who came in third.

The field events were also highlighted by an abundance of personal best in the throws. Three personal bests came in the weight throw as the freshman trio of Alex Parker (Alger/Upper Scioto Valley), Justin Yingst (Houston) and Chase Walters (Convoy/Crestview) all improved their marks on the season.

Yingst and Walters followed their weight throw with strong performances and personal bests in the shot put as well. Yingst finished 8th with a throw of 39-8.5. Walters led the Beavers with a throw of 41-.5, placing 6th. Freshman Edgar Gonzalez (Melvindale, Mich./Melvindale) also had a personal-best performance while finishing in 7th place with a throw of 40-7.5.

The action in the throwing circle caught the eye of Head Coach Karen Brandt. “The highlight of the meet was the trio of freshman men and their PR's in the shot due to the fact that they are dealing with a heavier shot put than high school.

Despite being in just their second collegiate meet, they have made a significant improvement which bodes well for their futures. Overall it was a good meet to resume the season and shows us the work that needs to be done in order to have a successful campaign.”

The Beavers will have a short week of preparation as they are set to resume action this Friday at the University of Findlay in the Northwestern Ohio Invitational.

Event stats found here: www.bluffton.edu/sports/trackandfield/2013/0112.htm