April 5, 2008

Track & Field Hosts First Annual Jack Hazen Open; Pioneers Claim Numerous Event Titles, Post Two NAIA Qualifying Marks

 
The Malone College men's and women's track & field teams hosted the first annual Jack Hazen Open Track & Field Meet last Saturday in which over 25 schools and nearly 45 different teams were represented.  The non-scoring meet saw numerous Pioneers take over event titles while two NAIA national qualifying marks were also posted.
    
Just prior to the track meet on Saturday, the College's Health and Human Performance Department and Wellness Council hosted the first annual Jack Hazen Pump 'N Run in which over 100 participants competed in a bench press (pump) and a 5K race.  Ages 15 and up competed in the event.
    
In the track & field meet, the Malone men and women had a combined 32 athletes finish in the top three in an event.  In addition, 15 Pioneers earned event titles.
    
The meet also featured U.S.A. Olympic hopeful A.G. Kruger in the hammer throw.  Krueger currently trains with Jud Logan at Ashland University and was the 2007 USA Outdoor national champion with a throw of 256' 3".  His personal best is 260' 0", which would have placed fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games.  Kruger tossed a best throw of 242'0" at the Malone meet.
     
Another event highlight was the men's 3200-meter open race in which Aaron Melhorn (Fr., Fairless H.S.) set a new 3200-meter record by running the fastest time ever recorded in Stark County with a time of 9:01.69, breaking the previous Stark County record (his own) of 9:06 set while he was a senior at Fairless High School.
    
For the Malone men, eight athletes earned event titles including Shane McLaughlin (So., Caldwell H.S.) in the high jump (6' 8"), Brad Sinick (Sr., Field H.S.) in the 5000-meter race walk (23:38.35), Steven Young (Sr., Gladstone, MO) in the triple jump (43' 6"), Kyle Randolf (Fr., Galion H.S.) in the 3000-meter steeplechase (9:55.20), Chris Sinick (So., Field H.S.) in the 1000 meters (2:30.23), Jeb Ford (Jr., Minerva H.S.) in the 400 meters (49.52), Chris Cruise (Sr., Field H.S.) in the 800 meters (1:55.82) and Melhorn in the above-mentioned 3200-meter event.  In addition, McLaughlin's and Brad Sinick's marks were NAIA national auto qualifying marks.
    
Second-place finishers for the men included Brady West (Sr., West Muskingum H.S.) in the long jump (20' 6"), Mike Coates (Sr., Sandy Valley H.S.) in the 1000 meters (2:30.57) and James Zeuch (Fr., Galion H.S.) in the 3200 meters (9:23.41).  Earning the lone third-place finish for the Malone men was Shane McLaughlin -- in the long jump (20' 3").
    
For the Malone women, seven athletes captured event crowns including Emily Alderfer (So., Urbana H.S.) in the hammer throw (137' 9"), Becky Rospotynski (So., Copley H.S.) in the pole vault (11' 5"), Holly Motter (Jr., Mt. Union, PA) in the triple jump (35' 5"), Sarah Hines (So., Northmor H.S.) in the 3000-meter steeplechase (11:50.54), Emily Grad (Fr., Field H.S.) in the 1000 meters (3:08.09), Kalie Hauenstein (So., Ashland H.S.) in the 3200 meters (10:58.97) and Kayleigh Bildstein (Fr., Madison H.S.) in the 1500 meters (5:08.28).
    
Second-place finishers included Motter in the long jump (16' 7"), Lindsey Pifher (Fr., Colonel Crawford H.S.) in the 3000-meter steeplechase (11:55.28), Rebekah Genter (Jr., Crestview H.S.) in the 3200 meters (11:08.30) and Kim Winton (Jr., Medina H.S.) in the 800 meters (2:20.50).
    
Taking third place in an event were Laura McElrath (Sr., Tallmadge H.S.) in the high jump (5' 1.75"), the long jump (16' 4") and the 100-meter hurdles (15.61), Aubree Horning (Sr., Salem H.S.) in the hammer throw (128' 0"), Alderfer in the shot put (38' 4"), Katie Murphy (Jr., St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S.) in the javelin (109' 6"), Lori Ickes (Fr., Smithville H.S.) in the discus (120' 4"), Vallie Scott (Jr., West Branch H.S.) in the 400 meters (1:00.13) and Katie Bagley (Jr., Van Wert H.S.) in the 3200 meters (11:19.13).
    
 This week, the Malone teams will send athletes to the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tennessee and will also compete at the Walsh University Invitational on Saturday.
1.800.521.1146