INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Freshman Addy Wiley dominated the Warrior Invitational Friday at Indiana Tech’s Doug Edgard Indoor Track to prove she’s one of very best in the nation. The Huntington rookie hit three A standards by racing her way to wins in the 600, 800 and 1,000 meters. More importantly, the converted times are all the fastest times in the NAIA this season.

She toed the 600 meters first and blew away the competition in 1:29.77 to not only establish a new school record but a new NAIA all-time record as well. It converted to 1:28.69.

With a few races in between, she then won the 800 meters in 2:09.76 (converted to 2:08.28). It puts her #2 in HU’s record books and proves the fifth fastest time in NAIA history on a flat track.

The 1,000 meters was right after the 800 but didn’t faze the freshman phenom. Wiley’s winning 1K time was 2:51.56 (converted to 2:49.71) for the third fastest time in program history and the 13th fastest time in NAIA history on a flat track.

Wiley was one of four Foresters to bring home a top finish. As a program, Roark’s crew posted seven first place finishes, hit five new standards and broke two school records.

Destiny Copeland also had herself a day. She picked up two first place finishes in jumps. In long jump, her mark of 5.87 meters is a new school record and is currently tops in the NAIA. She went on to win triple jump with her leap of 11.49 meters.

Erica Xayarath finished second behind Copeland in triple jump with her mark of 11.47 meters. She also brought home a pair of fourth place finishes in long jump (5.13 meters) and the 60 meters (7.96).

On the men’s side, Reece Gibson ran to a first place finish in the 3,000 meters in 8:49.85 after finishing third in the mile earlier in the day. His mile time of 4:18.77 is a B standard and is currently the 15th fastest time in the NAIA.

Dylan Felger also claimed a B standard. His came in the 400 meters with his winning time of 49.60 the 11th fastest in the NAIA.

Other top ten finishes for the Foresters included Kent Yoder in the 3,000 meters (3rd, 8:54.49), Sydni Ausberry in the 60 meters (6th, 7.98), Aanyah Wright in weight throw (6th, 14.48 meters), Chandler Minnich in pole vault (5th, 4.15 meters), Matthew Hyter in the mile (6th, 4:32.39), Emily Tedder in the 1,000 meters (7th, 3:12.57) and Evelyn Sigler in the 800 meters (10th, 3:12.25).

“Overall, this was a good outing for us considering it was our first meet since after Christmas break,” said head coach Austin Roark. “We had multiple NAIA #1’s and standards and multiple program records.

“Destiny Copeland’s long jump was encouraging as she is continuing to put out some great performances. What Addy Wiley did was incredible, including a new NAIA all-time 600m record and then turning around on short rest to have such great performances in both the 800m and 1K.”

Roark also had a lot to be excited about on the men’s side. “It was encouraging to see Reece and Kent have some great races as they open their season. Also, Dylan ran a tough 400m and showed his experience. I expect some great things soon from him.”

Next weekend, the Foresters will take partial squads to the SVSU Bill Clinger Classic on Friday and the Trojan Invitational on Saturday.