The Cardinal Men's and Women's Track teams bounced back into action this weekend at the Hillsdale College "Wide Track" Classic in Hillsdale, Michigan. After a week to tune up and ready the team for a tough stretch toward indoor conference, the coaching staff decidedly scaled back what events the athletes competed in, putting them into more preferred events that they would run at the conference meet. With the conference meet just 2 weeks from this Saturday, the coaches were looking for some solid performances.

In a meet that featured a couple NCAA Division 2 programs, and perennial powerhouse NAIA competition, the Cardinals had their work cut out for them. With events spread out over two days, most athletes were gearing up to compete in 1 or 2 events today, with the remainder being contested tomorrow. There were highlights, lowlights, and everything in between. The most notable mark on the night was Stephanie Johnston (FR/Brantford, ON)'s continued pursuit to re-write the record books. Her new school record in the 3000m was close to 30 seconds faster than Susan Topolosky's record set back in 2000.

Day One: 

WOMEN'S 

Distance

The women's distance squad ran the Mile and the 3000m where 3 women made some noise as the raced around the track. The mile was first were Malaina Bent placed second in her heat running a great race down to the wire. She started the action that Johnston and teammate Courtney Dykema (FR/Birch Run, MI) finished. In their heat of the 3000m both women, who were entered with no-time due to never running the event until now, quickly took control and lead the race. Johnston never looked back as she ticked the seconds off lap by lap toward a sparkling new school record. Equally as impressive was her teammate, and roommate's, close pursuit that put her just 25 seconds off the old school record.

Sprints

On the sprint side of the evening was a duo of first-timers in the 200m. Sydney Bosley and Kelsey Riley (SO/Milford, MI) were dropping down to run the 200m this week instead of running their normal mid distance races. For both girls this race is not unfamiliar territory as both girls ran sprints in high school. Bosley led the way as both women crossed the line one right after another in the same heat. While not completely pleased with their times, they both knew it was the first time they'd run the event in a while.

MEN

Distance

The men doubled up on the same two events where improvements were made in just a 2 week span in the mile. For Joseph Brinton (FR/Portland, OR) the second go around at the mile saw a 5 second drop in time and Nate Heierman (FR/Clarkston, MI) dropped his time by 8 seconds. Also running well was Ryan Bjelquist-Ledger who was close to his PR in the event. In the 3000m three Cardinal men raced their way round the track, one of them for the first time. Miguel Gonzales-Feliciano ran a slim PR Andrew Gardner (JR/Scotts, MI) battled a tough field for his first 3K on the year, and Matt Monroe turned in a solid time for his first collegiate 3K.

Sprints

In the dashes new comer Rod Lewis led the way in the 60m, with teammates close behind. Some block issues, a couple nagging injuries, and a tough field brought varied results for the men's team in the 60m. The 200m proved to be a better test of the team where Max Monton (JR/Pentwater, MI) turned in the top time. Herman Mason (FR/Lansing, MI), Brandon Crayne (SO/Riverview, MI), Rod Lewis David Gaynier (FR/Carleton, MI), and Chase Smith battled behind him in a very tough field.

Jumps

The men took to the long jump this week, where Herman Mason, Blake Hilsabeck, and Robert Duff tested their skills. Each jumper was looking for a bit more out of the day, but for a first go around in the event the results weren't bad. 

TOP PERFORMANCES
Stephanie Johnston--10:37.06--3000m School Record and 1st place finish in the open 3K  
Max Monton--400m--51.28 3rd place finish in the open 400m

Day Two:

Day two of the "Wide Track" Classic began with throws and jumps in the field events and ended with fast times on the track. As exciting as the first day of action was, this go around proved to have just as much intrigue and excitement for the coaching staff, and athletes. No school records were broken, but a few got scared as the crew competed in the 400m and 800m races on the track. In the field events the Shot Put was contested for both men's and women's teams.
 

WOMEN
Distance
The women were tested in the 800m where the 8:28.95 school record was being chased down by none other than the freshman record setting machine, Stephanie Johnston. Her pursuit was well fought, but by the end of the race the record held up. She was chased by teammate Katherine Fowler (FR/Riga, MI), who had one of the best days for the Cardinal women, knocking 8 seconds off her best 800m time. The next heat featured Courtney Dykema, Sydney Bosley, and Malaina Bent. They worked with each other to run solid times, with Bosley running a season PR.
 
Sprints
The lone woman sprinter on the day was Kelsey Riley, who ran a solid race the day before in the 200m. Her 400m race was just as good ending with a second and a half PR.
 
Throws
Jaime Schaub started the day for the Cardinal women. She was the first competitor into action, and had a great first meet of the indoor season. Her main events are outdoor events, but she had a very strong performance in the Shot Put.
 
MEN
Distance
On the men's side of the 800m Jacob Bailey (FR/Garden City, MI) turned in the best time in his first meet of the year. He led the way to 3 of the other 6 men recording PR's on the day. Each of the men battled well today with the 3 who didn't PR running close to their personal records.
 
Sprints
In the 400m, David Gaynier started the action on the track with a gutty performance. Dealing with some injuries, Gaynier ran close to his time two weeks ago. Following was Sophomore Brandon Crayne. Crayne took close to a second off of his time from last meet and inched very close to his PR. Closing the day for the Men's 400m was Max Monton. Monton was on a mission to run into the record books. His 3rd place finish in the open section of the meet was a close attempt at the record, and .03 faster than his Outdoor best in the event.
 
Throws
The men had a great day in the circle with Freshman Josh Berry having a fantastic day throwing 12.43m. This mark was close behind teammate Adam Koch (JR/Fort Wayne, IN) who bounced back after a rough day in the Weight Throw the day before. His 12.53 PR throw was the best mark for the Cardinal men. Jordan Foster (SR/Las Vegas, NV) and Christopher Deneen (SO/Hemlock, MI) closed out the day with solid attempts, with both throwing near PR's.
 
Jumps
Robert Duff was the only jumper on the day competing in the Triple Jump. In a tough field of competitors he battled board issues fouling each of his jumps.  
 
While no school records were set, the coaching staff was very encouraged by some very well executed racing and quality times after a couple tough training weeks. The team will test their skills again next week at the Grand Valley State University "Big Meet" on Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th.
 
For complete results from the meet follow the link below.
http://www.tfrrs.org/results/36788.html