Northwest Ohio Invitational
The University of Findlay men's and women's track and field teams hosted the Northwest Ohio Invitational on Friday, January 16.
Women
Senior Kendra Averesch delivered an excellent performance for the Oilers in her best event, the shot put. Averesch's first place toss of 53'7.00" placed her atop the Findlay record book, beating her own mark which she set last season. The throw, which is the best in Division 2 this year, also is an automatic qualifier for the NCAA championship meet later this winter.
The other throwing event, weight throw, was also a highlight for the Findlay women. Leading the field was sophomore Liz Streaker, whose throw of 58'10.25" earned her the victory. Averesch took second in the event with a toss of 58'04.99". Third place was filled by sophomore Erica King while senior Anna Knapski took fourth with throws of 58'2.00" and 55'6.50", respectively. All four athletes earned NCAA provisional bids.
Also collecting a first place victory was junior Lydia Guagenti who won the high jump. She leaped to a height of 5'06.00" which earned her an NCAA provisional.
Senior Shelby Stump earned a first place finish in the 300 meter dash with her time of 42.48.
In the 800 meter run, junior Erica Bettac's time of 2:20.89 was good enough to take first place. Junior teammate Samantha Grippe was close behind and took second with a time of 2:22.28.
The final first place finish for the Oilers women came from the 4x400 meter relay team. The squad made up of junior Maud Sanmiquel, freshman Laura Hernandez, senior Kirsten Gaerke, and Stump took first with a time of 4:04.66. Findlay 'B' took third in the event as the team of senior Taylor Ackerman, senior Pam Showman, Guagenti, and junior Samantha Grippe finished in a time of 4:09.05.
Ackerman was also busy in the 200 meter dash and took second with her time of 27.01. Gaerke, who had a time of 27.52, took fifth. Ackerman also participated and placed in the long jump as she took third place with her leap that distanced 16'06.50". Freshman Miliani Glass took fourth with a distance of 16'04.25".
Gaerke ran in the 400 meter dash as well and earned a second place finish with a time of 59.80.
Sanmiquel placed well in the 500 meter dash and her time of 1:21.11 earned her second place. The junior also took fourth in the 60 meter hurdles with her time of 9.56.
Men
Senior Dillon Webster set a school record in the 500 meter dash as he took first place with a finish of 1:03.34.
Another first place on the track came from senior Jacob Hayes who took first place in the mile run with his time of 4:21.99.
Findlay's shot put squad performed well as their top four earned NCAA provisional marks. Taking first place was senior Taylor Miller, whose throw of 59'11.00" is tops in the nation in Division 2 this season. In second place was sophomore Ben Hahler who earned a distance of 57'04.75". With a throw of 55'04.25" was senior Mathieu Marcoccia, good enough for third place. Senior Brian Jennings took fifth place with his throw that distanced 52'05.25".
Senior Justin Welch took first place in the weight throw with his NCAA automatic qualifying throw of 72"08.00". That throw tops all of Division 2 throws this season.
The long jump pit featured another amazing performance as sophomore Alexander Zolotoglavyy earned an NCAA provisional with his leap that measured 24'02.50". This distance in the third longest in Division 2 this season.
Sophomore Maliik Briggs earned a third place finish in the 300 meter dash with his time of 35.34.
The relay team of sophomore Derek Collins, Briggs, Webster, and junior Kyle Smithey took second place in the 4x400 meter relay with their time of 3:23.66.
Both teams will be back in action next Friday and Saturday, January 23 and 24th, as they host the Findlay Classic.