Throws Steal Show at Muskingum

Muskingum, OH – Who would have thought that warm conditions would affect some of the final results in the opening track and field meet of the outdoor season. It’s usually cold conditions and snow that play havoc on the early track and field season, but on Saturday at the Muskie Duals at Muskingum College it was the unseasonably warm conditions that played a part. Despite those uncomfortable conditions, the Geneva College throwers were quite impressive coming out of the 2012 gate.

A total of six throwers combined to qualify for the NCCAA national meet in the first meet of the season. Liz Michalak (javelin), Katherine Michalak (shot put), Kathryn Regalado (shot put) and Mary Keen (Discus) all qualified nationally on the women’s side. For the men, Jordan Rupert qualified in the javelin on his first ever collegiate attempt. Teammate Tyler French (shot put) also managed to qualify for the NCCAA meet. The only national qualifier for Geneva on Saturday that was not a thrower was Nick Edinger. For the third consecutive year, Edinger qualified in the 5000 meter race while taking home first place honors with a winning time of 15:36.32.

Geneva took home first place in both the men’s and women’s 5000 meter race as Alayna Merkle pulled out a victory on the women’s side with a mark of 19:25.30.

In other women’s action, Jamie Mahan, Lydia Reyle and Jakayla Anderson finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively in the 400 meter event. Shannon Rech and Heidi Steiner each finished in the top six in the 3000 meter race while Emily Hoobler finished second to Merkle in the 5000 meter event.

The men’s team also had some solid performances including Nick Agostinelli’s fifth place finish in the 100 meter dash. Josh Guiser finished fourth in the 200 meter race while also finishing fourth in the 400 meter event. Geneva;s Chez Anderson came in fifth place in the 800 meter race with Owen Struck placing fourth in the 1500 meter race. Chuck Walters turned in a solid performance which was good enough for fifth place behind Edinger in the 5000 meter event. In addition to the success in the throwing event, the men’s team featured a second place overall finish in the 3000 steeplechase from Charles Parker with a time of 10:56.45.

The Golden Tornadoes will be back in action next Saturday when they travel to Wheeling Jesuit for a 9:30 am start time.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College’s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education.