Men’s Track and Field Defends Title at Dick Small Invitational

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Justin Perkins broke his own school record in the 5,000-meter run, and the men's track and field team defended its title at the Dick Small Invitational on Saturday. The Jackets earned 191.50 points to take top honors in their first meet of the 2011 outdoor season. [Results]

Perkins finished the 5,000-meter run in 15:38.33, edging out the previous school record he set at the HCAC Championships last May by just over one second.

DC's pole vaulters claimed the top-three spots at the meet, led by Tyler Anderson, who won the event with a clearance of 14-05.25. Dan Hardin-Wallace and Austin Trivett placed second and third in the event respectively, with both posting marks of 13-05.25.

Anderson, Hardin-Wallace and Trivett claimed the top-three spots in the javelin throw as well, this time in reverse order, as Trivett won with a toss of 164-00, Hardin-Wallace placed second at 145-07, and Anderson claimed third with a mark of 137-07. Trivett also won the 110-meter hurdles, finishing in 16.25 seconds to edge out teammate Jordan Weber's second-place time of 16.56, and placed third in the high jump, clearing six feet. Weber placed second at the meet in both the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles.

Aaron Demecs led DC's sprinters with a first-place performance in the 400-meter dash, and teamed up with Issac Wilkins, Josh Herron and Hardin-Wallace on the 4x400-meter relay team, which crossed the line in 3:30.39 for a first-place finish and the 10th-fastest time in school history.

DC's track and field team will head to Indiana Wesleyan University next weekend to compete in the Polar Bear Invitational. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.