SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Messiah University Track and Field team finished up their regular season with a trip to Shippensburg for the Paul Kaiser Classis. The highlight of the afternoon was the 1500 Meter Run where the Falcons claimed four of the top ten spots in a field full of Division I and II competitors.
Next in Action
The Falcons now look ahead to the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship (MAC) that will be held at nearby York College of Pennsylvania over the three-day stretch of May 4th through 6th. The Falcons were selected first in the Pre-Championship Poll earlier this week. They will look to complete the Triple Crown after claiming the Cross Country title in October and the Indoor Track and Field title in February.
Strong Efforts in the Middle Distance Events
As mentioned, the Falcons soared in the 1500 Meter Run.
Logan Horst led the way, running a season-best time of 3:55.01 to finish second overall.
Andrew Hutchinson was close behind him running a new personal best time of 3:58.10 to finish in fourth. Adding a fifth-place finish with a personal best of his own was
Louka Fetter who crossed the line in 3:58.45. These top three finishers for the Falcons were the top three finishers among Division III competitors. Joining them in the top ten was
Josiah Moyer who ran a new best of 4:01.52 to take tenth. Also running personal bests in the 1500 Meter Run were
Zeke Colyer (4:07.75) and
Derek Guissanie (4:36.31).
The 800 Meter Run was also full of a number of season and personal best times. Leading the Falcons was
Josh Bauman in an MAC qualifying performance of 1:59.32, which is also a new personal best.
Nathan Kimmel was closely behind with a season-best of 1:59.44. Adding a new personal best time was
Nathan Kopp, crossing the line in a time of 1:59.85.
Nathaniel Coggins earned a spot at MACs with a new personal best time of 2:01.90.
Connor Daudt (2:03.59) and
Jack Daudt (2:05.09) both added season-best times in the event.
Remainder of the Track Events
Zach French ran an MAC qualifying time of 11.52 in the 100 Meter Dash. He finished 20th overall and fourth among Division III runners.
Joshua Horst crossed the line in a time of 11.84.
Adam Handwerk ran a time of 25.57 in the 200 Meter Dash.
Aedan Wilkinson finished 28th in the 400 Meter, crossing the line in a time of 52.36.
Sean Baxter ran a new personal best of 53.70 to finish in 36th.
Adam Handwerk rounded out the trio, crossing the line in a time of 58.58.
In the 110 Meter Hurdles,
John Steele finished 20th with a time of 16.31, the seventh-fastest Division III time.
Adam Hostetler ran the 400 Meter Hurdles in a time of 59.22.
In the 5000 Meter,
Jonathan Wyrick ran a season-best of 16:39.83, just two seconds shy of his personal best. He finished 28th overall and eighth among Division III runners.
Lance Kauffman (17:18.16) and
Xander Smith (17:43.38) both ran well.
Sam Rasinske was the top Division III finisher in the 10,000 Meter, crossing the line in a time of 37:59.64 to finish seventh overall. He was two minutes shy of the MAC qualifying time in his first 10,000.
In the 3000 Meter Steeplechase,
Ray Truex ran a season-best time of 10.50.73, just shy of the MAC qualifying time of 10:50.24. He finished eighth overall.
The 4x400 Meter Relay team of
Jack Daudt,
Josiah Provan,
Nathaniel Coggins, and
Adam Hostetler combined for a time of 3:39.43.
Highlights in the Field
Messiah put together a number of strong performances in the throws on Saturday afternoon. In the Javelin Throw,
Gavin Dunkerton threw a three-meter improvement to his personal best, hitting a distance of 50.84 meters to claim ninth overall, behind only one other Division III thrower. Close behind was
Matthew Puleo, who finished with a mark of 50.10 meters, claiming 12th overall and fourth among Division III.
Hoyt Lechthaler finished 15th with a mark of 45.77 meters, the fifth best among Division III.
Ryan O'Donnell added a season best toss of 34.05 meters.
Lechthaler added a personal best in the Hammer Throw with a toss of 43.92 meters. He finished ninth overall and remains sixth on the Messiah Top Ten list.
Brett Graff threw a personal best of 23.22.
In the Discus Throw,
Hoyt Lechthaler once again led the way. His throw of 39.20 meters finished 17th overall.
Gordon Cahill (25.18) and
Brett Graff (21.15) also competed in the Discus.
Zach French led three Falcons in the Long Jump. His mark of 6.44 meters was 15th overall and fifth among Division III jumpers.
Landon Kerr tied his personal best with a MAC qualifying leap of 6.07 meters.
Noah Keitel finished with a mark of 5.62.
Landon Kerr also qualified for MACs in the Triple Jump, after reaching a distance of 11.81 meters.
Next in Action
The Falcons now look ahead to the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship (MAC) that will be held at nearby York College of Pennsylvania over the three-day stretch of May 4th through 6th. The Falcons were selected first in the Pre-Championship Poll earlier this week. They will look to complete the Triple Crown after claiming the Cross Country title in October and the Indoor Track and Field title in February.
