Trio of Men's Track Athletes Make All-HCAC Team

GREENWOOD, IND. -- The Defiance College men's track team had three athletes honored by the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference on Thursday for their accomplishments during the outdoor track season.

Senior Joshua Petro (Ocala, Fla./The Villages) finished in the third spot in a loaded hammer throw field that saw three of the top 25 throwers in the country at the HCAC Championships, leading him to Honorable Mention All-HCAC honors. His throw of 54.19 meters (177 feet, 9 inches) was a career-best that improved his mark as the third best hammer thrower in school history. The toss also placed him 25th in NCAA Div. III competition entering this week's University of Toledo Invitational. 

Freshman Vince Jackson (Mason) also placed third in the HCAC Championship field in the high jump to earn Honorable Mention All-HCAC honors. Jackson leaped over the bar at 1.88 meters (6 feet, 2 inches) at the Championships, but had a season-best clearance of 1.93 meters (6 feet, 4 inches) at the Ohio Northern Polar Bear Invitational, a mark that earned second place honors. The freshman was also a member of the 4x100 meter relay team that placed fifth at the HCAC Championships.

Freshman Jordan Latham (Bethel/Milford) was also honored by the HCAC as a member of the All-Sportsmanship team. Latham was also a member of the fifth-place 4x100-meter relay team, as well as competed the 100 meter dash at the HCAC Championships.

The Yellow Jackets are currently competing at the University of Toledo Invitational, as it kicked off with the hammer, javelin, and shot put competitions today. The rest of the meet will be competed on Friday, May 4 with a start time of 10:30 a.m.