Cedarville, OH – The Grace Christian University track & field teams traveled down to Cedarville University for Saturday’s “Yellow Jacket Open” and faced not only tough competition but strong, sustained winds and variable weather. While the conditions were better in Ohio than they were in Michigan on Saturday, the 30-35 mph winds, which gusted upwards of 50 mph, made the first outdoor meet of the season for the Tigers a memorable one.
Although the conditions were not favorable to personal record marks or times, there was still much to celebrate following Saturday’s meet. “We saw some glimpses of what is to come this outdoor season,” commented Grace head coach Gerry Verwey. “I think the athletes were frustrated because they knew they could do better but the conditions just didn’t allow it. It’s important that we not use the weather as an excuse but I am pleased that the drive and determination is there for us to hit our season goals.”
Men’s Highlights:
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Junior Kent Herring (Evart, MI) set a new personal record in long jump (5.30m) and had a solid effort in the men’s 400m (58.16 seconds).
Women’s Highlights:
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Sophomore Alyssa Gennety (Jackson, MI) made her collegiate track debut in the women’s 800m run, finishing second in her heat with a time of 2:54.48.
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Senior Sarena Overbeek (Jenison, MI) finished 7th in the women’s 10k race, scoring two points for the Tigers, allowing them to beat Kentucky Christian in team scoring and finishing one point behind Rio Grande College and Trine University.
The track & field squads are back in action for their second outdoor meet of the season this Friday and Saturday (March 31-April 1) at Spring Arbor University. Friday’s schedule will feature the discus and hammer throw competitions and is set to begin at 1 PM. The remaining field events and all running events will be contested on Saturday starting at 11 AM.
