Tigers Open Indoor Season With Multiple First Place Finishes

Springfield, OH -- The Wittenberg Tiger Track & Field program opened their 2021-22 indoor season, hosting the Tiger Opener from their own state of the art facility, The Steemer. The Tigers welcomed in competition from Denison, Wilmington, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Rio Grande, Centre, Cedarville, Central State, Trinity, NCAA Division II Ohio Dominican, and NCAA Division I Wright State. It was a record day for the Tiger men's team, as Deven Ramsey and Conor Kolka started the indoor season with fast times and high expectations. Ramsey was able to pass his previous school record in the 800-meter mark with a new time of 1:54.12, taking the top spot in the event. Kolka took down the 3000-meter Tiger record, posting a time of 8:38.16.

 
The Wittenberg women's squad had a solid start to the day with, Reese Hartsaugh finishing first in the 1600 with a time of 5:45.73, in her indoor collegiate debut. The women had another early first place finish by freshmen, Reese Neumeyer in the 60-meter hurdles with a speedy time of 9.34. For the throws, sophomore Mckenna Bruce, placed sixth in the Weight Throw with a distance of 12.54M. Junior Hannah Schartz, placed fourth in the High Jump clearing a height of 1.58M. For the 3000 meter, Megan Keys finished second for Tigers with an impressive time of 10:44.52 and senior Lauren Welker finished close behind with a time of 10:50.33, placing third. To close off the day of racing, the Tigers 4x400 meter relay team consisting of Scott, Frazier, Collins, and Valentine, placed fourth with a time of 4:24.65.

For the Men, Jack Houck was able to start the day of competition off strong with a fourth-place finish in the long jump, leaping a distance of 6.63M. Also for the jumps, Justin Norris, jumped a height of 1.93M, placing second. Caden Zellner, Junior for the Tigers, placed second in the 800 meter, breaking 2:00.00 minutes with a time of 1:59.49. For the sprints, Zeke Bennett, ran a fast 400 meter time of 49.26, placing first for the Tigers. Out of 59 runners in the 200 meter, Matthew Drovdlic, placed seventh overall with a time of 22.95. Behind Kolka, Ryan Zimmerman, placed third for the Tigers, with a finishing time of 8:57.37. To conclude the day for Tigers, the Men's 4x400 meter relay team, consisting of Zellner, Bennett, Ramsey, and Houck, placed first with a time of 3:24.68.