Philadelphia, PA - Trevor Stutzman set a new NCAA Division Shot Put mark for 2014 at the Penn Relays on Friday, with throw of 17.55 meters also being a personal record. The toss eclipsed that of Wartburg's Colt Feltes (17.52m). Stutzman was previously second to Feltes with a throw of 17.15 meters.

Stutzman's mark held into Saturday when Feltes' throw of 18.22 meters was registered with the NCAA. Additionally, Sean Donnelly of Mount Union 17.63 meter throw this weekend. Neverthless, Stutzman's accomplishment stands as an impressive reminder of his ability to compete with the best-- a important note considering the NCAA Outdoor Championships are fast-approaching.

Paul Kaiser Track & Field Classic

Men's Finals Results  |  Women's Final Results

by Caleb McGaughran, GoMessiah.com reporter

In addition to the Penn Relays the Falcons were represented this weekend at the Paul Kaiser Classic at Shippensburg.

"Today was a good tune-up for us," said Messiah's distance coach, Brian Hager. "We had some good races, including some season best times, and I think it helped sharpen our focus for MAC's this upcoming week."

In addition to the high level of competition this weekend, the Falcons faced strong winds which worked as both a disadvantage and assistance to different athletes.

"We had some strong races today," said Hager. "With the wind, some of the effort that was there for our athletes on the track didn't always result in the times we wanted, but today was a great day for some of our jumpers." 

In particular, Josiah Haws was assisted by a legal tailwind in the long jump to set a lifetime personal record of 6.49m. Haws stated that he has not hit a lifetime best mark in college until this weekend, as he broke his previous best jump by over a foot.

For the women Rachel Robison stood out in a big way with a school record clearance of 3.36m in the Pole Vault. She tied for fourth in the event. Just last week, Robison had tied the previous record of 3.35m.

Like Robison, the men vaulted equally strong as Drew Engle and Dane Cornelius took third and fifth respectively in jumps.  Engle cleared a height of 4.30m to secure his spot, while Cornelius vaulted a height of 4.15m, a new personal best for him.

Among the other highlights were the men's races in the 800 meter run.  Jonphilip McGill ran an outstanding race, finishing first in his heat with a lifetime second best time of 1:55.79.  Aaron Powell and Nathaniel Pardoe fought to the finish in the same heat, Pardoe running a season best time of 2:00.23, while Powell finished only fractions of a second behind him with a college best of 2:00.48.  Cameron Shirk and Phil Headland also ran season best times of 1:59.54 and 2:01.22.

The men also saw some fine races in the 1500 meter run, Jared Schatz moving from third to first  in his heat during the last 400 meters of the race to set a lifetime personal best time of 4:10.58, while Tyler Sensenig placed second in his heat with a lifetime second best time of 4:14.24.

Messiah's women also saw some good performances in the 1500, Victoria Scrima finishing her race with a lifetime best time of 5:09.02.  Tasha Becker, Leah Novak and Alissa Rogers also ran well despite the conditions, Rogers hitting lifetime second-best time of 5:11.82.

Following this weekend, the Falcons will look forward to competing for the MAC title this upcoming weekend, as the MAC Championships begin this Thursday, May 1.
 

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