INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

The HU track and field program split up again this weekend. A handful of throwers headed to Defiance College’s Dick Small Invitational while a small group of runners competed at the GVSU Big Meet in Allendale, Michigan.

Addy Wiley was at it again – this time clocking the fastest 800 meter time in NAIA history. She finished the race in 2:02.33 to top a field of 40 athletes representing all collegiate divisions in addition to setting a new facility, meet and Huntington record. This brings her NAIA all-time records to three as she also claims the fastest time in the 600 (1:29.77) and mile (4:32.15).

Abbey Gentz also brought home a first place finish from the GVSU Big Meet. She crossed the line in the 5000 meters in 17:28.37, a new PR, to automatically qualify for NAIA Nationals. She has the second fastest time on record at HU and is currently sitting tenth nationally among her NAIA peers this season.

Reece Gibson had an outstanding performance over the weekend too. He hit the A standard in the mile in 4:14.53 which proved a new PR by three seconds.

Two women’s relay teams also qualified for the big stage. The DMR team of Destiny McGrady, MacKenzie Brewer, Emily Tedder and Wiley posted a time of 11:57.92, the third fastest time in the NAIA this season, for an automatic bid.

The 4×400 meter relay squad set a new HU record and hit the B standard with their time of 3:59.52. The team, made up of McGrady, Erica Xayarath, Destiny Copeland and Wiley, is currently ranked 15th in the NAIA.

Aanyah Wright’s first place finish in weight throw with a toss of 13.43 meters was the highlight of the Dick Small Invitational.

Other Foresters to establish a new PR over the weekend included Carter Hull in shot put (10.53 meters), Kaden Cummins in shot put (10.51 meters), Kara Strong in shot put (7.45 meters), Emily Tedder in the mile (5:10.37) and Mackenzie Brewer in the 600 meters (1:42.64).

Next up is the Crossroads League Championships on February 17-18 at Indiana Wesleyan.

COACH AUSTIN ROARK’S COMMENTS:
“The GVSU Big Meet was a great opportunity for us to stack up against some of the best teams in all divisions from across the nation. Reece had another great weekend and was able to establish another PR and national standard. He is really starting to show his potential. Abbey Gentz started our weekend off right for the women with a 40-second PR. She continues to build confidence and racing experience. Coach Neideck has her ready to be one of the best 5k women in the NAIA. Addy did what Addy does, another national record and top performance in the country. Every time she’s on the track, something good happens.

“I’m excited, as we head to our league championship, to see if we can get a few more individual PR’s and standards. We have bigger and more important future plans as we eye nationals, but the Crossroads meet will be a great meet for many of our individual athletes.”