DC Herriers Show Improvement at Regional Preview

DELAWARE, OHIO -- Junior Daren Gies (Plymouth) set a personal-best by almost two minutes to lead the Defiance College Yellow Jacket herriers at the Regional Preview meet hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday.

Gies ran an eight-kilometer time of 29:50.1, besting his previous best of 31:43, good enough for the top spot on the team and 171st overall. Gies was followed by freshman Tyler Hines (Cincinnati/Northwest), who debuted in the eight-kilometer distance with a mark of 33:03.98. 

Freshman Aubrey Griggs (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Smith Academy) crossed the line in 35:23, with junior Brandon Zartman (Paulding) finished in 208th place with a time of 35:41.9. Spencer Ross rounded out the group of DC runners with a 212th place finish. 

Otterbein came home victorious in the team standings, as junior Ian Kellogg paced the field with a time of 25:29.3. The Cardinals were followed by Trine (Ind.) and John Carroll to round out the top three. DC finished the meet in 18th out of 18 teams with 577 points.

Defiance's season will continue with a trip to Westerville for the Otterbein Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 16. The men's eight-kilometer race is set to start at 10:45 a.m.