Oiler Track Finishes GLIAC Championship
The University of Findlay men and women's outdoor track and field teams wrapped up the 2014 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship on May 2 in Geneva, Ohio. The women's team finished fourth with a total of 75.5 points while the men took fifth with 50 points.
On the third and final day of competition, Dillon Webster led the men's team with a first place finish in the 800-meter run. Webster raced to a time of 1:49.17 to earn the championship, setting a school record in the event. His time was also good enough to automatically qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championship in the event.
He also teamed with Derek Collins, Kyle Smithey and Maliik Briggs to place fourth in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:17.24.
Justin Welch added a third place finish in the discus with a provisional toss of 174'06 a couple of days after winning the hammer throw with a NCAA automatic qualifying toss of 228'03 during the first day of competition.
The women were led by Samantha Grippe and Alex DeVencintis, who each won their respective events.
Grippe won the 800-meter run. She claimed the championship by crossing the finish line in 2:09.96, a NCAA provisional qualifying mark.
DeVencintis, who was tabbed the GLIAC Freshman Field Athlete of the Year, won the discus with a NCAA provisional toss of 161'08. The heave was also good enough to establish a new school record.
Kendra Averesch finished third in the shot put with a provisional throw of 50'06 while Lydia Guagenti took fourth in the high jump at 5'04.25.
Shelby Stumped claimed fifth place in the 400-meter dash at 57.49, Adrianna Powell-Lawrence was sixth in the 400-meter dash at 57.50 and Pam Showman finished sixth in the 100-meter hurdles at 14.66.
The Oilers 4x100-meter relay team of Taylor Ackerman, Kadesha Roberts, Emily Caudill and Powell-Lawrence added a sixth place finish as well after crossing the line in 48.77.
Overall the Oilers won five individual championships during the meet. Alexander Zolotoglavyy won the long jump, Welch was victorious in the hammer throw, Webster won the 800, Grippe won the 800 and DeVincentis was the victor in the discus.
Zolotoglavyy also earned honors at the meet as he was tabbed the GLIAC Men's Field Athlete of the Year.
The Oilers will now compete in the Hillsdale Classic on May 7-8 in Hillsdale, Mich. before the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship, which runs from May 22-24 in Allendale, Mich.