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The start of a new indoor track and field season meant many Ashland University men and women landing on national lists at Saturday's (Dec. 1) Tiffin Alumni Open.
Leading the way was redshirt freshman Lindsay Baker, who didn't just win the women's shot put at 16.73 meters, but also set a new AU women's indoor freshman record in the event, and automatically qualified for 2019 NCAA Division II indoor nationals, March 8-9 at Pittsburg State (Kan.).
Another impressive opening-meet showing came in the women's weight throw, where Eagles took the top five spots and earned provisional nationals marks – senior Mackenzie Leigh (first, 18.68 meters), Baker (second, 17.52 meters), redshirt freshman Carrol Pauley (third, 17.31 meters), sophomore Gianna DiPippo (fourth, 17.29 meters) and redshirt freshman Taylor Kroll (fifth, 17.00 meters).
Sophomore Trevor Bassitt nearly automatically qualified for nationals in the men's 60-meter hurdles, winning in 7.97 seconds and qualifying for the finals in 7.96 seconds. The auto standard is 7.90 seconds, and Bassitt earned a provisional time.
In the men's shot put, a trio of Eagles – juniors Nick Zak (third, 17.08 meters) and Alex Hill (fifth, 16.49 meters) and sophomore David Amstutz (sixth, 16.08 meters) – earned provisional nationals distances. Senior Jim Toth did the same in finishing second in the men's weight throw in 19.79 meters.
In the women's high jump, junior Paula Wollenslegel was second with a provo mark of 1.70 meters, while junior Ellie Jindra provoed with a third-place finish at 1.67 meters. DiPippo was third in the women's shot put with a provo distance of 14.57 meters.
Earning first-place finishes were junior Gariana Bercheni in the women's 60 hurdles (8.98 seconds), Bassitt in the men's 300 dash (35.51 seconds), sophomore Maddi Yingst in the women's 300 dash (41.43 seconds), sophomore Jared Ryder in the men's triple jump (14.12 meters), junior Paul Murray in the 600 run (1:25.46), and sophomore Miyuki Sugiyama in the women's triple jump (11.57 meters).
Bercheni in the women's 60 dash (7.73 seconds) and Bassitt in the men's 60 dash (6.92) each finished in second place. Third-place finishes were turned in by junior Kyle D'Ambrosio in the men's triple jump (13.57 meters), sophomore Danny Friebel in the men's 600 run (1:25.72), and freshman Tim Rumas in the men's 60 dash (6.94 seconds).
Ashland will finish its December schedule at the two-day Kent State Golden Flash Gala on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 7-8).
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