ON THIS DATE (4/1) in DC Athletics
DEFIANCE, Ohio – On this first day of April, also known as April Fools’ Day, in Defiance College athletics history, there have been a couple of team wins and many fine individual performances since 2009.
DEFIANCE, Ohio – On this first day of April, also known as April Fools' Day, in Defiance College athletics history, there have been a couple of team wins and many fine individual performances since 2009.
In 2015, the Defiance men's tennis team delivered its fourth straight 8-1 victory, rolling past Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Manchester University on its home courts. Mike Ross, James DeMeo, Ryan Nelson and Justin Walker were winners in both singles and doubles for the Yellow Jackets. Tory Savage and Adam Swisher added wins in singles play.
The DC men's and women's track and field squads hosted the Yellow Jacket Open in 2011, and both teams had champions in the 3000-meter steeplechase. For the men, Justin Perkins clocked 9:42.66 for first place while on the women's side, Kaitlin Switzer finished at 11:47.79.
Another member of the women's track and field program, Brooke Waidelich, also claimed an individual title in 2017. At the Hanover Invitational among 42 competitors, Waidelich came out on top in the discus with a throw of 38.27 meters.
Also on April 1, the 2009 Defiance softball team and three men's golfers in 2012 recorded significant feats. On the diamond 11 years ago, the Yellow Jackets won at Bluffton, 6-2, after getting home runs from Marah Robinson and Mallory Faling, along with a complete game by pitcher Kelly Schnipke. In men's golf at the Hanover Spring Invite eight seasons ago, Mike Ross fired a 74 to finish at 153, tying for 13th place, while Brian Jones and Hurst Talbott tied for 20th (156) in a 78-player field.
Do you remember these athletic accomplishments by DC teams and student-athletes? If you recall any historic moments (i.e. records broken, milestone victories, great team or individual performances) that happened in the month of April, please feel free to contact DC sports information director Steve Ruthsatz at sruthsatz@defiance.edu.