DC Wraps Up Findlay Classic

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Defiance College track & field team wrapped up its first indoor meet of 2009, participating in the very competitive Findlay Classic. The meet, which did not record team scores, hosted a 2008 Olympic Medalist as well as a handful of Olympic Trials competitors.

Austin Trivett led the way for the men's squad with a pair of top-ten performances. The Defiance, Ohio native had a personal-record mark of 14-04.25 in the pole vault to clinch second-place, while clearing 6-01.50 in the high jump to end up four places behind DC teammate Brad Zarembski, who finished fourth with a mark of 6-05.50.

Blake Witherspoon turned in a pair of great performances in the sprint events, finishing 11th in both the 60m (7.08) and 200m (23.17). The freshman tops the conference in both events and ranks third all-time at DC in the 200m. Trey Harris recorded a time of 7.35 in the 60m and 24.27 in 200m, while Andrew Weber ran the 60m hurdles in 9.14.

Andrew Baker recorded the HCAC's second-best time in the 400m, completing the race in 54.22. Justin Perkins opened up his collegiate career with a time of 4:49.38 in the mile, while Seth Bidlack ran a personal-best time of 2:05.34 in the 800m.

Kaitlin Switzer recorded the highest finish for the DC women, placing 13th in the mile with a time of 5:48.01. Amanda Tooley had a personal-best mark of 38-04.00 in the shot put, finishing just ahead of teammates Laura Derov (37-04.50) and Samantha Higdon (33-11.05).  

Marlea Rolander finished 17th in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.76, matching her time from the Oiler Opener this past December. Kristin Goldstein (29.02) edged Rolander (29.04) in the 200m dash, as the two now rank third and fourth in the HCAC in the event.

Defiance returns to action next Saturday, February 7, when it travels to Upland, Ind. to compete in the Taylor Invitational. Events are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.