Defiance Finishes Third at Manchester Invitational

N. MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Defiance College men's track and field team claimed three event titles and racked up 149 points at the Manchester Invitational on Saturday, April 4, on its way to a third-place finish.

Blake Witherspoon led the way for the Jackets, playing a role in all three of DC's event crowns on the day. The freshman sprinter claimed individual titles in both the 100m (11.17) and 200m (22.46), while also teaming with Brian Badenhop, Trey Harris and Ryan Perry to win the 4x100m relay with a time of 42.67.

Brad Zarembski earned a pair of second-place finishes at the meet, clearing 6-08.00 in the high jump and tallying a leap of 19-03.75 in the long jump. Jordan Weber jumped a career-best 39-05.75 on his way to second-place honors in the triple jump while also finishing third in the 100m hurdles with a time of 16.34.

Nic Neihaus and Danny Rodriguez each recorded the best hammer throw marks of their careers, finishing second (140-02.00) and third (129-04.00) respectively. Andrew Baker and Seth Bidlack also finished side-by-side, as Baker used a personal record time of 2:02.90 to edge his fellow sophomore (2:02.91) at the line.

Justin Perkins continued to leave his mark on the DC record books, running the fourth-fasted 1500m time in school history (4:09.51) on his way to third-place honors. Austin Trivett garnered top-four finishes in three different events, finishing second in the pole vault (13-05.75), third in the javelin (156-00.00) and fourth in the 110m hurdles (17.13).

The 4x400 relay team of Badenhop, Baker, Bidlack and Kyle Longsdorf finished third, crossing the line in 3:36.12. Badenhop, Harris and Issac Wilkins all finished fourth in their respective events, as Badenhop ran a 23.38 in the 200m, Harris a 11.57 in the 100m and Wilkins a 53.58 in the 400m.  

The Jackets will be back in action next weekend, April 11, when they compete in the All-Ohio Outdoor Championships on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University. Events are slated to kick-off at 10:00 a.m.