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By: Dylan DeWitt
Twitter: @dd_witt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu
Without a surprise, two athletic teams continue to show their dominance, and make their mark on the nation’s best competition.
These two teams are the University of Findlay men’s track and field team along with the men’s basketball team. Both teams are inside the top 11 teams in the entire nation. Men’s basketball is ranked 11th, and men’s track and field is ranked sixth in the polls. The two Oiler athletic teams sustain a resume of excellence this winter season. This says the least about what these two teams have been able to accomplish thus far.
Men’s track and field is a top-ten team in the nation for multiple reasons. Not only is the team a dominant presence at invites and meets, but through individual efforts as well. Austin Combs has been a highlight through his weight throwing abilities. The Junior and Findlay, Oh. Native has become one of the best throwers in the nation. He currently ranks second in all of the Division II rankings for throwing.
One of his teammates is not that far from him either and he too is helping the Oiler throwers be nationally recognized. Dequan Lovell, a junior from Bridgetown, Barbados, is ranked seventh best in the nation for his throwing efforts.
Aside from the throwers, a few other track and field athletes have represented the Oilers well. Trey Everett, a former GLIAC champion of the heptathlon and national championship qualifier, has been able to stand out once again this season. He is currently ranked fourth for his point total in the event for Division II. Along with these three athletes, George Effah and Martin Etsey have had continued success. Both natives of Ghana, Effah is ranked fourth in the nation for the 400m and Etsey is ranked seventh for the triple jump event.
Going from Koehler’s indoor facility to Croy Gymnasium, the 11th ranked men`s basketball team has been a part of a historical tradition once again. Although recently having their 16 game win streak snapped in a loss against the Malone Pioneers, Oiler basketball has been electrifying all season. The team has even been able to bounce back after suffering an injury to Starter Taren Sullivan. In a game against Kentucky Wesleyan, Sullivan suffered an ankle injury that has been reported to be minor and have a two to three week recovery period.
The Oilers have been strong from all fascists of the game and have clinched at least a share of the GMAC championship title for the regular season. They have also been able to compile a 21-3 record, and a 15-1 record in conference play. With another 20 wins on the season, it marks the 16th time in 17 seasons that the men`s basketball program has been able to have a 20 plus win season.
Both teams still have the opportunity to compete more this regular season before the postseason begins.
The men’s basketball team has their four remaining games that go until Feb. 24th. After that, starting March 1st, the GMAC championships will begin. For men’s track and field, their next event will take them to Grand Valley State University for a two-day event. The seasons continue on, and so does the success of Oiler Athletics.
