The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams put together some strong performances last weekend at the Ohio Northern Debow Freed Midwest Elite Meet, hopefully getting their bearings at the site of the 2002 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championship Meet.
The men's team was led once again by sophomore Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison), who turned in a second-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles, but more importantly posted an NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark of 7.80.
Other men who finished among the top eight and scored points for Wittenberg in the meet were: sophomore Demetrius Ellison (Cleveland, Ohio/Trinity) in the 400, junior Nick Dewald (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior) in the 1500, sophomore Derek Thompson (South Charleston, Ohio/Greenon) in the 55 hurdles, junior Nate Henderson (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll) in the 55 hurdles, freshman Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian School) in the long jump, sophomore Joel Drake (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) in the shot put and 35# weight, freshman Clyde Mayer (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) in the shot put, senior Chris Silliman (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) in the 35# weight and sophomore Dorian Dixon (Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy) in the 35# weight.
In addition, two relays ran strong to finish seven and fifth respectively: the 800-meter relay that included Ellison, freshman Chris Primavera (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto), Rumschlag and sophomore Cody Martin (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) and the 1600-meter relay that included freshman Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville), sophomore Mike Torsell (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central), freshman Chad Kresser (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) and Ellison.
On the women's side, three performances stood out from the crowd. Junior Erin Zayicek (Solon, Ohio/Solon) set a school record in the 20# weight as she finished seventh in the meet. Sophomore Becky Barnes (Williamsport, Ohio/Williamsport) dropped her personal best time by an astounding 30 seconds in the 5,000 to finish in fifth place. And sophomore Kristen Mumper (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) set a school record in claiming second place in the triple jump with a mark of 34-feet, 3-inches. She also placed fifth in the long jump with a mark of 15-11, 3/4-inches. The performance was good for recognition as the North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Field Events Athlete of the Week.
Also performing well and capturing top eight finishes were sophomore Jackie Spray (Newark, Ohio/Newark) and LaRissa O'Neal (Indianapolis, Ind./Broad Ripple) tied for eighth in the pole vault, freshman Marissa Davoll (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) in the 400, senior Sarah Weide (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Homestead) in the 800 and sophomore Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) in the 800. In addition, two relays finished fourth and fifth respectively: the 1600-meter relay run by Davoll, sophomore Mary Blonder (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), Zilli and Weide and the 800-meter relay run by freshman Tina Valerius (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame), Blonder, Mumper and Davoll.
Next: 2/8, @ Findlay Open, 5 p.m.