BEREA, Ohio — Franciscan University's track and field team braved bad weather once again this Saturday at Baldwin Wallace College's annual Sparky Adams Invitational. Despite temperatures in the low 40s, over half of the team achieved personal records in one or more events.
"In this next to the last meet, with this freezing cold weather, there was all the reason in the world for the team to not perform at its best today," said head coach Vince Oliver, "But we held our own against some tough competition from other Division III schools."
Key performances for the Barons included Bill Jones, Kevin LeRoy, David Willems, Joey Schlueter, Michael Gotta, and Tim Michaud. Jones placed first in the 10K—and is now ranked sixth in the nation—with a school record time of 30:00.82; Willems took eighth in the 10K with a time of 35:39.91; Schlueter and Michael Gotta placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the steeplechase with times of 10:13.26 and 10:41.61 with Schlueter setting a new school record; and Tim Michaud threw 44.36 meters in the javelin, placing eighth.
For the Lady Barons, Sara Mueller achieved third place in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 5:07.23; Molly Chambers received seventh in the 3K with 11:48.86; and Elena Luke placed eighth in the long jump with a mark of 4.50 meters. Freshman Kaitlyn Hoffman also earned a new personal and school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.25.
The team said goodbye to seniors Ellen Klein and Kevin LeRoy as the two competed in their last collegiate competition. Klein ran the 800-meter run in 2:39.48 and placed seventh in the 4x400 meter relay. LeRoy finished up his collegiate career with a personal record and a sixth place finish in the 10K with a 34:42.86 time.
"It has been such a pleasure to be their coach these last four years," said Oliver, noting Klein and LeRoy's personal growth and contributions to the team. "I don't know if I could be more proud of them."
The track and field team competes next Friday, May 11, at the Allegheny College Gator Invitational in Meadville, Pa.
