Track and Field turns in solid debut at Oiler Opener

FINDLAY, Ohio - Defiance College men's and women's track and field made their 2023-24 indoor debut Friday afternoon (Dec. 1) at the Oiler Opener hosted by the University of Findlay. 

The Defiance men finished 11th out of 15 teams while the women placed eighth out of 11. 

The host Oilers took home first place in both the men's and women's competition. The Findlay men ran away with the first place finish, accumulating 220.5 points with the next closest being Tiffin who tallied 98 points, good for a second place finish. The Findlay women took home the title with 202.75 points with Hillsdale coming in second with 155 points.

Multiple Yellow Jackets made their collegiate debut in the meet including Shelby Clements, Myahn Smith, Tae Allen, Michael Martin, Montgomery Rollins, David Heidelburg, Cordae McAllister, and Khari Hurt. 

In the 60 meter dash prelims, Hurt placed 10th with a time of 7.15 seconds, Tawon Cannon came in right behind Hurt with a time of 7.24 seconds, and Martin came in one second behind Cannon. The 7.24 time for Cannon was a new personal best. Jeremiah Benton recorded new personal bests in both the 60 meter dash (8.03 seconds) and the 200 meter dash (26.37 seconds).

Ron Scott debuted with a shot put mark of 11.51m (37' 9.25"), good for a 20th place finish. David Heidelburg made his collegiate debut in the shot put as well, finishing 28th with a mark of 8.39m (27' 6.5").

Lisa-Maria Markau qualified for the 60 meter dash finals and finished fifth with a time of 8.05 seconds. Shelby Clements completed the 60 meter dash in 8.58 seconds, good for a 14th place finish and Myahn Smith placed 11th in the 60 meter dash with a time of 8.44 seconds. 

Track and Field will next compete at the Capital University Alumni Meet in Bexley, Ohio on Jan. 13.