OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

The Forester track and field program took a partial squad to IWU’s Polar Bear Invitational over the weekend to open up its outdoor season. Junior Erica Xayarath headlined Roark’s crew with a pair of first place finishes in jumps.

The Fort Wayne native soared 1.74 meters in high jump to hit the A standard, easily win the meet, set a new HU record and claim the top spot in the NAIA nationally. She also won long jump with her leap of 5.49 meters which proves the second best mark in program history.

Other top ten finishes on the women’s side came in the 1500 meters where Abbey Gentz took third in 4:52.36 while Emily Tedder finished seventh in 5:07.39.

On the men’s side, Chandler Minnich represented the Foresters in pole vault where he established a new PR of 4.55 meters which landed him fifth at the meet and fourth in the Huntington record books.

“The weather conditions for this meet were less than ideal, but I’m still happy with our effort in the few events that we competed in,” said Coach Austin Roark. “The distance group all competed in some secondary, or ‘off’ events to get a good training day out of the meet. They were dealing with some strong winds and cold temps.

“Erica had an amazing meet in the high jump; coming off a great indoor season and national championship, she showed early that her outdoor season is going to be great. That 1.74m establishes a new PR and program record, and she was able to do this on a very heavy lifting week and training cycle.”

Roark and crew will spend next Saturday at Taylor’s George Glass Invitational.