Being a standout swimmer and runner means time is of the essence when it comes to Alexis Altmaier s athletic career.

(Grand Rapids, MI) - Aquinas College hosted the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Indoor Track meet on Saturday. The Cardinal men and women were more than ready for this test as they have spent many weeks in preparation for this championship meet. The Indoor and Outdoor conference meets are the pinnacle of many of the athletes' year. After a long day of running, jumping, and throwing, the teams hung their hats on a great 2015 indoor campaign.

The day started with the Long Jump where all three men set season best marks, and one of those being a school record. Herman Mason (FR/Lansing, MI) set a person best in the prelims of the event. His mark was good enough to make finals. His mark of 6.42m (21' 0.75") was just .07m (2.75") off the school record. He was locked in and ready to take that record down as he jumped in finals. He leapt to 6.62m (21' 8.5") on his first jump in finals breaking the record and placing 8th in the event.

As the meet continued the action moved to Women's Shot Put and Men's Weight Throw. In the Shot Put, both Madison Lutzke (SO/Benzie, MI) and Jamie Schaub (JR/Brooklyn, MI) battled a tough throwing circle to throw just under their bests on the year. Meanwhile the men heaved the weight throw around. Adam Koch (JR/Fort Wayne, IN), Joshua Berry (FR/Trenton, MI), and Christopher Deneen (SO/Hemlock, MI) threw well with Koch placing 4th overall with a 14.63m (48' 0.0") toss.

On the track the 4x800m relays started the point scoring with both teams placing 6th overall getting 1 point each for the team. In the 60m Dash Kane McGirt (FR/Ann Arbor, MI) turned in the fastest time. He was closely followed by Blake Hisabelk (SO/Flushing, MI), Herman Mason, Robert Duff Jr (SR/Crosswell, MI), and Chase Smith. The 5000m was next where Courtney Dykema (FR/Birch Run, MI) tested herself with her first one on the year. Her time was faster than any time she had run the race outdoor, which is always a great accomplishment.

Later on in the Mile Stephanie Johnston (FR/Brantford, ON) and Brie Schofield (SO/Belleville, MI) ran in a tough field to narrowly miss placing. Johnston's time of 5:27.27 was also a second off of Schofield's school record. In the men's section Ryan Bjellquist-Ledger (SR/Garwood, NJ) ran well and Nate Heierman (FR/Clarkston, MI) battled well but had to drop out due to respiratory problems.

In the 400m Brandon Crayne (SO/Riverview, MI) ran a decent time from lane 6 with only one other in his heat. Shortly after, Grant Bowdish (FR/Clio, MI) and Max Monton (JR/Pentwater, MI) took to the 600m race. Monton was on a mission to drop time off of last week's effort in order to make the national meet. His efforts were close, but his time of 1:24.42 wasn't fast enough to make the field. He did however place 5th overall scoring 2 points for the team.

Back on the runway Chase Smith and Robert Duff Jr both had PR efforts in the Triple Jump. On the infield the men threw the Shot Put. Josh Berry had a throw of 12.67m (41' 7") which was a PR and good enough for 9th overall. In the Women's Weight Throw Madison Lutzke had more problems in the circle, but was able to still through near her PR and School record throwing 11.10m (36' 5").

Brie Schofield and Katherine Fowler (FR/Riga, MI) raced well in the 800m where both battled a tough field. In the men's section Jacob Bailey (FR/Garden City, MI) won his heat racing on time in hopes of placing in the top 6. After sweating through the fast heat his time of 2:04.20 was good enough for 6th place gaining 1 point for the team. Nate Heierman got redemption in the 1000m. His PR time of 2:42.10 was just out of the points. BJellquist-Ledger joined him racing well.

Max Monton turned his attention to the 200m where he ran a PR and narrowly missed going under 23 seconds with a time of 23.02 placing 9th overall.  Brandon Crayne ran just before him racing well in his first 200m of the year.

Stephanie Johnston was the top Cardinal women's top performer placing 3rd in the 3000m. In a very exciting race she battled her competition to the last lap where pursuit from behind nearly passed her at the end. In the men's section Andrew Gardner (JR/Scotts, MI) and Matt Monroe turned in PR's in a very competitive race.

The final races on the day were the 4x400m relays. Both teams fought well to conclude a great day of competition. The women weren't able to better their school record, but did place 6th overall gaining a point for the team and capping off a great meet. Kelsey Riley (SO/Milford, MI) got the team off well passing to Schofield who kept it close for Johnston and Sidney Bosley (SO/Canton, GA) to bring it home. The men followed suit by challenging the field early on with great legs by Brandon Crayne and Nate Heierman. Jacob Bailey held his own and Max Monton closed the race and the meet with a 6th place finish.

The Cardinal Track teams were both 6 out of 7 teams. Both teams scored more at this meet than last year making the coaching staff very pleased with the athletes' efforts on the day. The teams will downshift a little as they prepare for the outdoor season. Stephanie Johnston will continue on in two weeks as she prepares for the NAIA Indoor National meet. 

To view or purchase photos taken at the meet, CLICK HERE.

GO CARDS!