DELAWARE, Ohio - A select group of Wittenberg University men's and women's track and field student-athletes extended their season in hopes of qualifying for the 2014 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. At least one of them may have succeeded in the first of two "last chance" meets.
Sophomore Laike Wallace (Washington Court House, Ohio/Washington) posted his personal-best time in the 400-meter hurdles at Ohio Wesleyan's Ron Althoff Invitational, crossing the finish line in a time of 53.19. That time ranks 13th in all of NCAA Division III heading into the final weekend of qualifying.
Wallace is one of two Tigers currently qualified for the NCAA Division III meet. Junior Justin Yates (Dayton, Ohio/Bellbrook) also ranks 13th nationally with a time of 47.90 in the 400-meter dash at the All-Ohio Championship meet on April 13.
Sophomore Aaron Melsop (Westerville, Ohio/DeSales) also competed in the Ron Althoff Invitational. Attempting to improve his standing in the long jump, Melsop finished third in the meet with a mark of 6.92 meters, matching his jump at the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championships the previous week. He stands 41st nationally and plans to compete again Friday, May 16, at the University of Louisville.
Rounding out the men's competitors at Ohio Wesleyan, which is hosting the NCAA Division III Championships May 22-24, was sophomore Daniel Mason (Springfield, Ohio/Greenon). He finished 12th with a mark of 41.69 meters in the hammer throw.
On the women's side, the highlight of the meet was a first-place finish by the 4x400-meter relay team of freshman Alaina Longshore (Columbus, Ohio/Franklin Heights), freshman Frankie Bowsher (Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln), freshman Aaliyah Myers (McCordsville, Ind./Mt. Vernon) and sophomore Brea Medlock (Galena, Ohio/Big Walnut), which touched the finish line in 3:53. The time was just a fraction slower than the relay's season best posted a week earlier. The Tigers stand 28th nationally heading into the meet at Louisville.
Finally, senior Beverly Ochieng (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) placed fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 10.62 meters. She ranks 48th nationally.