CU Records Six Top-Five Finishes at Easter Mid-Week
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Clarke University track and field team battled through the elements at the Loras College Easter Mid-Week finishing with a total of six top-five finishes while setting numerous personal bests.
The mid-week meet began Wednesday at 12 p.m. with the Pride competing in the hammer throw. Marlie Beauchem was Clarke's top finisher in the event, as the freshman took fifth with a personal best throw of 135'5" (41.28m). Samantha Kane finished two spots shy of Beachem after tossing for 130'6" (39.79m). On the men's side, Ben Blackburn set a new personal best with a throw of 111'6" (33.98m), placing the freshman 18th.
In the javelin, Kane finished with her second-straight top-five finish after throwing for 98'8", setting a new personal best and placing her fourth against the field. Kaitlyn Eder took sixth in the event (88'5/26.95m), followed by PR performances from Addie Hickey (71'11"/21.93m – 9th) and Paige Sparrow (50'1"/15.26m- 10th).
Emma Grant turned in her third top-three finish of the outdoor season after taking second overall in the pole vault. The freshman out of Cottage Grove, Minn., cleared 10'8" (3.25m), earning a new personal best in the event. On the men's side, Timothy Miller took seventh after clearing 12'7.5" (3.85m).
Over at the long jump, James Vandun set a season best after leaping 20'7" (6.27m) to place seventh, followed by Brandon Martin in 10th (19'8.25"/6m). Blake Willis took seventh in the triple jump with a mark of 39'10.5" (12.15m). In the women's high jump, Sydney Norman placed ninth after clearing 4'7" (1.4m).
Rain began to fall as the meet turned its attention to the start of the track events. The 3,000-meter steeplechase kicked things off and saw sophomore Brennan Shelton clock in at 12:44.34 to finish third.
Daniel Miller took seventh in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:17.94, while Marina Mercado took 10th at 5:41.52.
Kole Haverly, running in his first collegiate 400-meter hurdle race, took fourth after clocking in at 1:00.06.
Rory Bickler placed fifth in the 5,000-meter race for the second time in three weeks, crossing the finish line at 19:38.78.
Up Next
The Pride will head to La Crosse, Wis., next week to partake in the Phil Esten Challenge April 22-23.
CU Competitors
MEN
200 METER
25. David Jones, 24.99
28. Sage Hoyt, 25.44
400 METER
15. David Jones, 56.78
1500 METER
7. Daniel Miller, 4:17.94
3000 STEEPLECHASE
3. Brennan Shelton, 12:44.34
400 METER HURDLES
7. Kole Haverly, 1:00.06
HIGH JUMP
5. Sage Hoyt, 1.75m (5' 8.75")
POLE VAULT
7. Timothy Miller, 3.85m (12' 7.5")
LONG JUMP
7. James Vandun, 6.27m (20' 7")
10. Brandon Martin, 6.00m (19' 8.25")
TRIPLE JUMP
7. Blake Willis, 12.15m (39' 10.5")
DISCUS THROW
14. James Vandun, 15.48m (50' 9")
SHOT PUT
12. Ben Blackburn, 11.36m (37' 3.25")
HAMMER
18. Ben Blackburn, 33.98m (111' 6")
WOMEN
1500 METER
10. Marina Mercado, 5:41.52
50000 METER
5. Rory Bickler, 19:38.78
HIGH JUMP
9. Sydney Norman, 1.40m (4' 7")
POLE VAULT
2. Emma Grant, 3.25m (10' 8")
DISCUS
13. Marlie Beauchem, 29.22m (95' 10")
HAMMER
5. Marlie Beauchem, 41.28m (135' 5")
7. Samantha Kane, 39.79m (130' 6")
12. Addie Hickey, 33.45m (109' 9")
19. Paige Sparrow, 23.13m (75' 11")
JAVELIN
4. Samantha Kane, 30.07m (98' 8")
6. Kaytlin Eder, 26.95m (88' 5")
9. Addie Hickey, 21.93m (71' 11")
10. Paige Sparrow, 15.26m (50' 1")