Women's Track & Field Has Record Day At ONU Invite

Ada, Ohio - It was another milestone day for Wittenberg Track and Field. Alexis Gray and Alexis Johnson set their sights on the NCAA Division III Championships in Winston Salem, NC, smashing personal and Wittenberg women's track and field records in the long jump and the 800m run. Gray posted a personal best in the 800m run with a time of 2:12.69, shattering the previous record by almost five seconds. With this time, Gray moves to the top of the DIII women's leaderboard in the 800m run, currently qualifying her for nationals. Johnson broke her own record in the long jump, previously set at the Tiger Opener, busting out with a leap of 5.81m (19-0.75), moving her to the top of the DIII leaderboard in the women's long jump.

Amongst the field of 26 competitors, the Tigers went one-two in the women's long jump, with Johnson claiming the top spot. Stevie Plikerd followed close behind, placing second with a jump of 5.52m (18-01.50). Ryelee Clary topped the 60m hurdles competition, stopping the clock with a time of 9.29. The Tiger 4x200m relay team of Marteana Newton, Clary, Serayae Bray, and Preslee Rolf took second-place, with a time of 1:51.75. Hannah Eley took eighth-place in the women's weight throw, completing a toss of 13.72m (45-00.25). The Tigers finished back-to-back in the shot put competition, as Leah Vogt took fourth-place with a toss of 11.39m (37-04.50). Skylar Edwards earned a fifth-place finish in the shot put portion of the day with a toss of 11.15m (36-7.00).

The Tigers went three-four in the men's 400m dash, as Zeke Bennett was the top finisher for Wittenberg on the afternoon, stopping the clock with a time of 52.05. Austyn Albanese was right on his heels, capturing a fourth-place finish in a time of 52.07. The men's 4x200m dash team, consisting of Maurice Graham, Bennett, David Haake and Albanese took second-place with a time of 1:34.08. Paul Varnadoe earned a second-place finish in the high jump contest, clearing the bar at a height of 1.88m (6-02.00). Grant Shepardson busted out a leap of 6.38m (20-11.25), earning a fifth-place finish for the Red and White on the afternoon. Gene Nobles earned an eighth-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 6.29m (20-07.75). Josh Finkeldey brought back an eighth-place finish in the 500m run, stopping the clock in a time of 1:13.73. Jonathan Seay finished second in the shot put with a toss of 13.77m (45-02.25), while adding a sixth-place finish in the weight throw with a heave of 4.56m (47-09.25).

From The Coach

"Tonight was another major step in our growing process. All our hard work is paying off each week and we are living in the moment. It was an exceptional night for our women's team. It is very rare to have 1 young lady hit a time or a mark that leads the country but to have to in the same night was truly remarkable," said Head Coach Paris Hilliard.