Posted: Jan 15, 2022

Clarke Men, Women Place Fourth at Cardinal Invite

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Clarke University Pride track and field program concluded its second indoor meet of the 2021-22 season on Saturday at the North Central College Cardinal Opener. The women's team placed fourth with 30.5 team points, while the men finished fourth with 28 points.

In all, the Pride saw seven student—athletes record top-five finishes in their respective events over the day-long meet.

On the women's side, sophomore Rory Bickler was the program's lone event winner, as the Rose Creek, Minn., native won the 5000-meter at a time of 20:08.06, setting a new personal-best in the process.

Freshman Emma Grant set a new career-best in the pole vault after clearing 10 feet, placing third in the event. Sophomore Samantha Kane placed fourth in the weight throw with a mark of 13.64m (44' 9"), falling just two inches short of third place.

On the men's side, James Vandun took fourth in the 400 meter with a time of 55.10, falling just short of his career-best time of 54.22 in the event. The Racine, Wis., native also finished fifth in the high jump with a mark of 1.68 meters (5' 6").

Blake Willis took fifth in the long jump after leaping 5.85 meters (19' 2.5"), coming within four inches of his personal best. David Miller rounded out Clarke's top-five finishers after placing fifth in the 5000 meter with a time of 17:22.45.

Clarke will return to the track next weekend on Saturday, Jan. 22, when the program travels to Mount Vernon to partake in the Hilltop Invitational.

CU Competitors

MEN

200M METERS

19. David Jones, 25.99

400 METERS

4. James Vandun, 55.10

6. Timothy Miller, 56.67

800 METERS

8. Kole Haverly, 2:05.19

MILE

30. Daniel Miller, 5:09.41