A cold and rainy day did not stop the Bluffton University Track and Field team from finding success. As the hail rained down, the Beavers beat personal bests and career records.
Kinsey Myers running the open 400m at Ohio Wesleyan University. Photo by Olivia Daugherty.
The Beavers continued their season at the Marv Frye Invitational at Ohio Wesleyan University on April 9. The Beavers were led with a 2nd finish in the men’s 4x400m relay and a 2nd place finish in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The men’s team was led by Kyle Manns and his 2nd place finish in the 400m hurdles. His time of 59.5 was a personal best for the first-year sports and recreational leadership major.
Olivia Rider, a first-year p-5 primary education major, led the women’s side. Her high jump performance placed her in 6th, with her jump of 1.48m being a personal best.
Blayden McCoy racing the open 400m race at Ohio Wesleyan University. Photo by Olivia Daugherty.
Blayden McCoy, a sophomore middle-childhood education major, tied his personal best in the open 400, running a 52.2 for the one-lap event.
“I think it went decent for how the weather was,” said McCoy. “It was not what I hoped for but despite the weather, I was okay with it.”
Henry Wright throwing shot put at Oberlin College. Photo by Olivia Daugherty.
Along with McCoy, freshmen Russell Lough and Jayden McConnell found success in the open 400m. Lough finished 3rd with a time of 50.94 and McConnell placed 5th with a 51.27.
McCoy was the starter on the 4x400m relay. The team ran a time of 3:26.5, ending the meet on a high note. The relay consisted of McCoy, Lough, McConnell and Simon Shawk.
“I feel like we got a really good first mark for the year,” said McCoy. “I definitely think we can all run a lot faster, especially with better weather.”
Madalynn Schifer, a junior sports management major, broke her personal record for the 200m dash. Her time of 27.69 led her to an 8th place finish.
“My 200m, I did really well,” said Schifer, “I ran a career-best so that was pretty exciting.”
Sammie Unger running the 1500m race at Ohio Wesleyan University. Photo by Olivia Daugherty.
Other notable performers include Desmond Gist in the 400m hurdles and Shawk in the 800m run. The run was Gist’s debut in the race and his time of 1:00.19 placed him 3rd. Shawk’s time of 2:00.76 placed him 5th in his event.
Looking to the future, McCoy is excited about success in 4x400m.
“We want to score really well as a 4×400 and break 3:25,” said McCoy. “We would like to run low 3:20s by the end of the year.”
The Beavers will continue their season April 16 at the All-Ohio Invite at Ohio Wesleyan. Events will start at 10 a.m.
