(Allendale, MI) - Saturday's portion of the Grand Valley State "Big Meet" started off with snowy conditions. With the jumpers and throwers leaving early in the vans and the rest of the team following later in the bus, the teams got off to a slow start, but had great things in store for both women and men.  While the weather continued to be snowy and windy outside, the track inside heated up with Cardinal records being broken left and right.  On the weekend the teams broke seven school records and many personal records or season bests.

THROWS
School records were in jeopardy as the Cardinals took to the track early in the throws. Madison Lutzke started her meet off with the Weight Throw. Three throws later she had surpassed her school record from early in the year with an 11.79m toss. While she was throwing the men took on the Shot Put. With only Jordan Foster throwing a season best, coach Matt Guhn said he was still very pleased with where his throwers were technically on the day. Later in the Men's Weight Throw Adam Koch broke his own school record from early in the year. His final toss of 15.08 was more than a half meter better than the previous record. With some technical improvement we may see that fall yet again next week. Christopher Deneen and Joshua Berry followed suite by also setting personal bests in the event.

JUMPS
In the Long Jump the men had a solid day performing well in a competitive field. Blake Hisabelk jumped a season best of 5.92m not far off his PR. Herman Mason and Robert Duff Jr battled injury issues jumping well, but just shy of season or personal bests. Chase Smith joined the jump squad with his first go at the Triple Jump. While he didn't record a mark, he made some good strides in his first time in the event this year.

DISTANCE
The Cardinal distance squad ran well running mainly the mile with one running the 3000m and one running the 800m. In the 3K Andrew Gardner led the way with a huge seasons best. He dropped 15 seconds off his best time while inching closer to his PR of 9:51.17. Next Katherine Fowler ran the 800m where she dropped another 2 seconds off her best time ever.  The mile closed the day for the distance runners. It was clearly the main event as 5 seasons best were accomplished with one of those being a School Record. Brie Schofield, fresh off her 600m title the day before, ran down teammate Stephanie Johnston's school record performance from the first meet of the year. She took 5 seconds off her time by running 5:26.91. Courtney Dykema ran right behind her taking 12 seconds off her best time. The men were next, with Nate Heierman chasing a school record. His attempt wasn't far off the pace as he took 5 seconds off his PR from a week ago. Matthew Monroe and Joseph Brinton also ran well dropping times as well.

SPRINTS
The men and women sprints crew ran the 60m, 200m, 400m, and 4x400m races. The last race of the day, the 4x400m relay turned out to be the high note of the day with the women's team of Melaina Bent, Kelsey Riley, Elizabeth Mathews, and Sidney Bosley ran a School Record time of 4:30.53. The 400m open race earlier could have clued the team into this happening with each of these women running season bests in the event.  The men had an equally as good day. While no School Records were set, one came close to falling, and three others set season bests. Max Monton came close to running sub 22 seconds in the 200m running a PR of 23.11. Earlier in the 400m Brandon Crayne and Grant Bowdish ran PR's and Robert Duff Jr dropped time in the 60m.

With the conference meet a week away the men's and women's teams are poised to strike. The coaching staff was very happy with the weekend's performances and can only imagine what the next week will bring. Congrats go out to all new School Record holders. Through their efforts and the support of their teammates the Cardinal Men's and Women's programs had a very successful weekend.

Next week the teams head to Aquinas College to take part in the WHAC Indoor Championships. We hope to see you there!

GO CARDS!