Track and Field has success at the University of Florida and Miami University

By Kevin Schrock
@Krock_6

The Oilers split up on Saturday with some of the squad heading down to Gainesville, Florida to the University of Florida, while others stayed in state, heading to Oxford on the campus of Miami University for the Miami Invitational. The programs combined for five first place finishes and continued their dominance this year.

At the Florida Pepsi Relays in Gainesville it was senior Kendra Averesch launching a throw of 49’11.25 which would be good enough for eighth place. The winner of the event, Becky O’Brien launched a toss of 59’9.00.

In the men’s shot put the two Oilers competing in the invitational were Taylor Miller and Justin Welch. Miller had a good day coming in 11th place after putting up an impressive throw of 57’5.00. Welch’s 51’11.25 throw would be good enough for 21st place. Welch also competed in the discus where he threw a 163’3.00 for a notable 12th place finish.

In Miami it was a pair of Oilers who secured the top spots in the men’s long jump. Alexander Zolotoglavyy jumped 24’3.50 and teammate Michael Bruce was a close second with 23’9.00.

Demorrio Leggett also secured gold for the Oilers. The senior jumped 46’0.75 in the triple jump for first place while Sergi Torres’s finished first in the 400-meter dash, just two spots ahead of Mahlik Briggs. Torres put up a time of 49.06 while Briggs fished less than a second later with a time of 49.97.

The Oilers continued their dominance in the sprints with Dillon Webster grabbing another first place finish in the 800-meter run. He finished in a time of 1:54.30. Webster, Torres and Briggs then all teamed up along with Derek Collins to compete in the 4×400 relay event, which they have been successful in all year. They came up just shy of first this time but a second place finish was still extremely successful for the squad. Their time was 3.19.93.

In another relay, the 4×100, it was Briggs, Torres, Collins, and Jake Miller competing. They placed third in this one with a time of 43.53.

In the men’s discus the Oilers grabbed second and third place finishes from Brian Jennings and Ben Hahler. They threw the discus 169’05 and 163’11 respectively. In the shot put Hahler fell just outside the top three with a 55’ toss and Mathieu Marcoccia launched the discus 52’6.75 for sixth place.

On the women’s side it was Erica King and Liz Streaker claiming second and third place in the hammer throw. King was able to get a 177’02 mark while Streaker almost matched her throw with a 170’06.

The Oilers dominance in the indoor Track and Field season has not gone unnoticed. The Men continue to be ranked number one in the country in Division two by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. They still have a lot of season left to compete as well. They will next be in action back in Oxford next weekend for the All-Ohio championship on Friday and Saturday.