Ashley Ferguson
Contributing Writer
Despite hazardous conditions last Saturday, the Wooster track and field teams ventured out to compete in the Kenyon College Classic. And while some braved the weather sledding on the snowy hills of Gambier, inside the track, it was a beautiful day to run.
Overall, the women’s team scored 125 points to come in second out of seven teams, right behind Ohio Wesleyan University’s 157.5. The men fought hard and landed in the middle of the pack, scoring 66 points and securing fifth place.
Both teams saw standout performances from Paris Nahas ’16, who lowered her record 60-meter and 200-meter times (8.06; 26.09), as well as Matt Margida ’16, who broke his own school record of 46 feet, three inches in the weight throw.
Lauren Buyan ’15 won two events, including the mile (5:25.63) and the 800 meter (2:27.49). First year teammates Gabrielle Neubauer and Mackenzie Kellar claimed second and fourth places, respectively, coming in at 2:28.79 and 2:29.27.
Jumpers and hurdlers rounded out the women’s field performances with several runner-up spots. Elizabeth Obi ’18 got one in the triple jump (33 feet, 6.75 inches). Kendra Shehy ’15 took second in the high jump competition (5 feet, 0.25 inches), and Taryn Szalay ’17 scored the same in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.84. Heidi Strike ’15 tacked on a third-place effort in the long jump (15 feet, 11.5 inches).
While Margida led the charge in the weight throw, teammates Eric Fenton ’18 and Tyler Catlin ’16 helped steal the show with second- and third-place throws of 42 feet, six inches and 42 feet, one inch.
In the running events, three Wooster men pushed to the top five in a field of 23 participants in the 3,000 meter. Alex Chabraja ’17 was second (9:04.02), Joe David ’15 was fourth (9:05.77) and Derrick Marshall ’15 was fifth (9:13.76).
Also on the track, Blake Pecoraro ’17 placed fourth in the mile (4:35.03), and Albert Darling ’16 raced to fourth in the 5,000 meter (16:27.15). Back on the field, Shawn Bowman ’15 landed second place in the long jump with a mark of 20 feet, 6.5 inches.
“Both teams gave excellent effort against great competition,” said Head Coach Dennis Rice. “Overall, they continue to improve from week to week.”
Assistant Coach Julius Higginbotham added, “This was a good week for the team as we continue to prep for the indoor conference championships. We are always excited about breaking a record because that shows there are improvements throughout the program to build off of.”
As the Fighting Scots head into training for the North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Championships, both coaches and runners are feeling excited and ready to go. The team will take to DePauw University March 6-7.
“Our overall goals are to stay healthy and continue to peak to full potential at the indoor conference championships — along with bringing great momentum into outdoor season,” said Higginbotham. “Staying healthy and ultimately peaking at the outdoor conference championships is our main focus.”