Oilers Host Findlay Open and ELITE Throw Competition
The University of Findlay played host to the Findlay Open and 7th Annual Elite Throws as many of the best athletes from around the Midwest gathered for competition on Friday, January 30.
Women
Junior Lydia Guagenti met an NCAA provisional in the high jump where she took first place with her leap of 5'08.50". That height set a new University of Findlay record, breaking the mark set in 1999 by Beth Baldridge.
Senior Kirsten Gaerke earned a victory for the Oilers in the 600 meter run with her time of 1:41.47 while senior Pam Showman's time of 1:42.27 earned her second place.
Showman was the first collegiate athlete across the line in the 60 meter hurdles as her time of 8.98 took second place behind an unattached competitor. Junior Maud Sanmiquel took third with a 9.16.
In the 400 meter dash, senior Shelby Stump took third place with a time of 59.51. Right behind her was teammate, freshman Laura Hernandez' time of 1:00.02 earned her fourth place.
Junior Samantha Grippe won the 800 meter run with a time of 2:20.17 while junior Erica Bettac took second with a 2:21.57. Sanmiquel made it three Oilers in the top four as she earned a fourth place finish with a time of 2:24.52.
The team of Sanmiquel, Hernandez, Gaerke, and Stump combined for a first place finish in the 4x400 meter relay with their time of 4:00.56. Teammates senior Taylor Ackerman, Grippe, Bettac, and Showman combined for a time of 4:04.04, good enough for second place.
Ackerman competed in the 60 meter dash where her time of 8.10 was good enough for a fourth place finish and also took part in the long jump, earning third place with a distance of 17'02.25".
Throws
Senior Kendra Averesch, competing in the shot put ELITE, stole the show as she was the highest finisher of collegiate competitors. She finished second place with her throw of 54'10.75". That toss garners multiple honors as it was an NCAA automatic qualifier, a new University of Findlay record, and is the third longest throw in NCAA Division II history. Sophomore Liz Streaker also earned a second place finish, with a 40'10.50", in her respective division of the shot put competition.
In weight throw, sophomore Erica King earned second place in the weight throw and earned an NCAA provisional with her throw of 57'05.50". Also in the contest was senior Anna Knapski who took fifth place with a 55'11.75". Taking sixth place with a throw of 55'02.25" was sophomore Liz Streaker.
Men
Senior Dillon Webster tore up the track and set a new Fieldhouse record in the 800 meter run as he took first place with his time of 1:51.62, good enough for an NCAA provisional.
Senior Jacob Hayes ran very well as he took first place in the 1,000 meter run, finishing in a time of 2:29.48. That time sets a new University of Findlay record, breaking the mark set by Kendell Simon in 2008.
In the long jump, sophomore Alexander Zolotoglavyy earned an NCAA provisional as he distanced 23'06.25". Zolotoglavyy also participated and provo'd in the triple jump with a distance of 48'00.50".
Freshman Sergi Torres won first place in the 400 meter dash with his time of 49.38. That time is good enough to meet the NCAA provisional in the event. Sophomore Derek Collins also competed in the event and took fourth place with a time of 51.39.
Another first place for the Oilers came in the 4x400 relay where Collins, Torres, Briggs, and Webster teamed up finish in a time of 3:20.62, an NCAA provisional. Findlay 'B's team comprised of Smithey, senior Jacob Miller, freshman John Davis, and Hayes finished in a time of 3:34.56. Also running in the race were former Findlay track athletes Shane Stein, Tim Sanders, Michael Travis, and current volleyball Graduate Assistant Willie Veverka. The group finished seventh with a solid time of 3:47.35.
Sophomore Maliik Briggs had a solid showing in the 200 meter dash as his time of 23.04 was good enough for second.
Junior Kyle Smithey ran well in the 60 meter hurdles as he finished in third place with a time of 8.92.
Junior Derek Spindler took second place in the pole vault as he leaped to a height of 15'01.00".
Throws
In shot put, senior Mathieu Maroccia earned first place with his NCAA provisional throw of 55'08.25" with teammate, senior Brian Jenninngs finished second also earning a provisional with his toss of 54'05.25". Junior Parker Schroeder took fifth with a 49'01.50". There were 25 competitors in this event.
In shot put ELITE, sophomore Ben Hahler was the highest finishing collegiate athlete as he took fifth place with a distance of 57'01.50". Senior Taylor Miller took sixth as his throw distanced 56'08.50". Both athletes earned NCAA provisionals.
Senior Brian Jennings took sixth place in the weight throw with his throw of 59'09.50", an NCAA provisional. In eighth was Hahler whose throw distanced 58'01.25". This event had 42 competitors.
In weight throw ELITE, senior star Justin Welch earned an NCAA automatic qualifier with his throw of 70'03.00".
Both teams will be back in action as they travel to Hillsdale, Michigan for the Hillsdale Wide-Track Classic on Friday, February 6.