Ashland University's indoor track and field teams, both ranked in the Top 5 in Division II (women second, men third), continued to put up nationals-worthy efforts Friday (Jan. 30) at the Findlay Indoor Open & Elite Throws meet.
In the men's weight throw, senior Zac Ball finished second in the elite category (71-feet-5¼), while a pair of Eagles turned in provisional nationals-qualifying efforts – senior James Clay Harris (first, 63-feet-1¼) and freshman Clayton Jury (fifth, 60-feet-9¼). The regular men's weight throw saw the top five spots occupied by Eagles.
The women's weight throw elite category saw senior Shatora Lewis take first with a top mark of 70-feet-0½, which is an automatic nationals-qualifying showing. Fellow senior Jessica Bridenthal also had an automatic mark in placing third (69-feet-2½), and senior Kim Habegger was seventh (63-feet-9), good for a provisional mark.
Bridenthal had an automatic effort in the women's shot put (fifth, 50-feet-8), and Lewis had a provisional effort (eighth, 48-feet-5½).
In the women's high jump, sophomore Rebecca Koval turned in a provisional effort of 5-feet-8½, tying for the best mark on Friday. Senior Jennifer Foster also had a provisional mark in the women's pole vault (11-feet-7¾, tied for second).
Another highlight at Findlay came in the women's long jump, where Eagles earned eight of the top nine spots, led by senior Jennifer Bjelac (17-feet-7). In the women's mile run, junior Kylee Bernthisel won in 5:21.73, as AU runners took the top four spots, and junior Jillian Bajaksouzian was first in the women's 1,000-meter run (3:01.77).
On the men's side, senior Eric Thompkins won the 60-meter dash (6.94), and freshman Sam Stevens-Jones (4:32.23) and sophomore Zach Humrichouser (4:32.59) were 1-2 in the men's mile run.
In the men's weight throw elite category, Ashland Strength & Conditioning Coach A.G. Kruger won with a top mark of 77-feet-8.
Some of the Eagles broke off on Friday to compete at the Penn State National meet. The men's distance medley team of seniors Drew Windle, Elijha Owens and Joshua Davis and junior Nick Hall crossed the tape in 9:59.49, the best time in the event in Division II so far in 2014-15 and a provisional nationals-qualifying time.
That effort was fifth on Friday, with the top four teams all being Division I programs.
Also at PSU, junior David Knack won the 5,000-meter run in 14:51.85.
The Eagles who are at Penn State will continue to compete today.
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