2013 Season Opens At Muskingum

Muskingum, OH – The 2013 outdoor track and field season opened up on Saturday with Geneva College competing at The Muskie Duals at Muskingum College. A total of 11 event victories highlighted the day for the Golden Tornadoes, who also turned in some NCCAA national qualifying results.

In men’s action, Nick Edinger ran a couple shorter races than he is normally accustomed to on the track. The change-up didn’t seem to effect the results as the senior took home a pair of first place finishes in the 800 meter and 1500 meter events. Edinger qualified nationally in the 1500 meter event with a winning time of 4:06.48, which was also a meet record. He won the 800 race with a mark of 2:01.76. Charles Parker didn’t allow Geneva to come away empty handed in the 5000 meter race as he took first place with a time of 16:52.63. Parker’s time was a personal best by nearly 30 seconds.

On the field, Tyler French took first place in the discus with a distance of 124-10 while freshman Jordan Rupert won the javelin with a toss of 155-02.

Geneva’s women pretty much swept the distance events on Saturday with Alayna Merkle taking first place in the 800 meter and 1500 meter events, Sarah-Noel Meek winning the 3000 meter race and Anna Kluitenberg taking first in the 5000 meter event. Merkle had the best showing with a pair of victories and a national qualifying time of 4:59.58. In the field events, Katherine Michalak took first place in the shot and Mary Keen qualified for the NCCAA national meet with a first place distance of 116-10 in the discus.

Monday’s track and field meet at Grove City was postponed so Geneva will have to wait until Saturday when it will travel to California University of Pennsylvania.

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. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).