As the track and field season winds down, the Cardinals prepare for the Ohio Athletic Conference Championship at Wilmington, reflect on their season and set goals for the remaining part of the year.
Last Saturday, the women’s and men’s track teams traveled to the Kenyon Spring Invitational. The meet was not scored as a team competition, but personal bests on both the men’s and women’s teams were broken.
The day started out with senior Wesley Pierson winning the 110-meter hurdles. Freshman Devon Fitzgerald took third, and freshman Daniel Pfeffer followed behind with a fifth-place finish at 16.53 seconds.
For the women’s 100-meter hurdle event, sophomore Rachel McKeever won with freshman Abbey Gray close behind in second place with a time of 16.10 seconds, a personal best. Senior Sammie Corbin placed seventh.
Corbin looks back at the Kenyon Invitational with disappointment. “I have had great practices, but just haven’t put it on the track during a meet yet. I am a little frustrated, but excited for conference, where it really counts,” she said. Even though Corbin is not completely healed from an ongoing injury, she is happy she has been able to run her last couple of meets.
The men took over the pole vault, with senior Karl Wunderle winning the event after clearing 15 feet and junior Aaric Milligan placing third. Freshman Cory Wunderle cleared 14 feet and beat a personal record as well.
Karl Wunderle said taking first in a field of other talented pole vaulters gave him a boost of confidence going into conference week.
He said that this season has been a tough one. “I have had my ups and downs and not competed as well as I expected, but I have learned a lot recently,” he said.
Wunderle’s goal for the remainder of the season is to compete at the national level. He hopes to become an All-American.
For the women’s pole vault, junior Jordan Long won the event and matched her personal best with 10 feet and 11 3/4 inches.
For the men, sophomore Kyle Jefferson finished fifth at 11.37 seconds, a personal record. Junior Arnez Franklin placed second in the 400-meter dash, and sophomore Andrew Mantell finished seventh with 52.11 seconds, also a personal record.
The women’s 100-meter dash had all three of the Lady Cardinals beating their personal best times. Sophomore Jasmine Troyer finished third with 13.14 seconds, while freshman Altheria Siler followed with 13.18 seconds. Freshman Kristen Norris placed sixth with 13.43 seconds.
For the 400-meter dash, sophomore Kailia Cramer placed seventh with a time of 1:06.28, a personal record.
For the 800-meter dash, junior Rebekah Reese placed third with a personal record time of 2:24.91.
For the 1,500-meter run, senior Andie Pautsch ran her personal best time of 5:12.97 and took ninth place.
For women’s long jump, freshmen Norris and Gray both showed an impressive place in events again. Norris placed second with 15 feet and 4 3/4 inches, and Gray took third with 14 feet and 10 1/2 inches.
The men and women will compete at Wilmington for the OAC Championship April 27-28.
