Anna Hartig
Staff Writer
The Fighting Scots track and field programs competed in yet another notable meet last weekend at Denison University. The Bob Shannon Invitational highlighted big victories for both the men’s and women’s teams as they progress onto All-Ohio Championships next Saturday, Feb. 10. In the 13-team event, the men’s team finished in 11th place, while the women finished in ninth place.
The women brought home a very important first-place win in the 4×200 meter relay with a finishing time of 1:53.96. The group finished over two seconds in front of the other teams and consisted of Erika Womack ’19, Julia Higgins ’19, Korri Palmer ’20 and Regan Szalay ’20. Teammate Carolyn Webster ’19 earned third place in her best long jump of the season with a leap of 15 feet and 11.75 inches. Georgia Hopps-Weber ’21 finished fifth in the pole vault with a height of 10 feet and six inches. The team is hoping to use every meet as preparation toward their championships as well as the outdoor season.
“I enjoy track and field because of all of my teammates. Being a co-ed team that practices together every day means that we are all really close,” said Szalay. “It’s great to have teammates that double as study partners after practice and best friends on the weekends.”
On the men’s side, Jackson Feinknopf ’19 crossed the finish line with a time of 16:09.68 in the 5,000-meter race. Feinknopf entered the race with the third fastest event time in the North Coast Athletic Conference this season.
“Coach Rice has worked with us in workouts on working together, finding a rhythm and hitting consistent times,” said Feinknopf.
This hard work was evident in last weekend’s meet as the team is preparing their times for championships.
Spencer Wilson ’20 reached two personal records this past weekend, earning fourth place in the weight throw with a distance over 46 feet and 4.75 inches. Wilson also finished seventh place in the shot put with a throw of 42 feet and nine inches.
The Fighting Scots placed sixth in the 4×200 meter relay with a team of Justin Fox ’19, Myles Parker ’19, Cam Pollard ’21 and Drake Pence ’21 with a finish of 1:37.24. Parker and his teammates, Brian Lief ’19, Aedan Petit ’20 and Jack Petrecca ’19 earned seventh place in the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 3:41.69.
Distance runner David Westcott ’19 said, “We just have to stay focused and have to keep working together. Our program is trying to be the best team we can be and compete against top competition.” The men’s and women’s track and field programs are emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration as they approach the championships.
“In the end, both teams hope to place well at conference. We have some tough competition like Oberlin and Ohio Wesleyan, but if we all work toward our individual goals, our team will improve as a whole,” said Szalay.
Make sure to cheer on the Fighting Scots as they take on tough competition at the All-Ohio Championships in Westerville, Ohio. The meet will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Otterbein University.