Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) sent members of the men’s and women’s track teams to two different meets over the weekend – the Susquehanna Open and the VMI Relays. The men’s distance medley relay team broke the EMU record in the event when they ran at the Susquehanna Open in Selinsgrove, PA.
Jesse Parker (Wichita, KS/Wichita East), Philip Watson (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle), Jonathan Bush (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) and Dan Nafziger (Harrisonburg, VA/Harrisonburg) teamed up to best the distance medley time by more than 12 seconds, as they crossed in 10:37.15. The old record of 10:49.91 was set in 2003. The foursome finished second at the meet, and also clocked the second fastest time in the ODAC this winter.
Nafziger set his personal record (PR) in the 800m run, and just missed breaking two minutes. The junior broke the line in 2:00.99 and is fourth all-time in EMU history in the event.
The women’s distance runners for EMU also did well at the meet. In the mile run, Jolee Paden (St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph-Odgen) crossed in 5:32.21. Sophomore Lanae Kreider (Harrisonburg, VA/Broadway) set her PR in the event at 5:40.84. The time was also good for No. 6 on the EMU Top Ten list.
In the 800m run, the Lady Royals had three runners who were all within the top ten list. Hannah Chappell-Dick (Bluffton, OH/Bluffton) finished third and was the top D-III finisher in 2:19.74. She was about a second behind her EMU record time. Chafin Brumfield (Harrisonburg, VA/Spotswood) and Juni Schirch (Goshen, IN/Goshen) each set their PRs and moved up in the history books. Brumfield crossed in 2:27.51 and is No. 3 all-time, while Schirch timed at 2:31.66 and is now No. 6.
EMU sent mostly field athletes to the VMI Relays on Saturday, and thrower Aaron Sloan (Ooltewah, TN/McCallie School) highlighted the day with a pair of PRs. In the weight throw, Sloan finished only behind a D-I VMI athlete with a throw of 12.78m (41-11.25ft). He is now No. 4 in the EMU history in the event.
In the shot put, Sloan set his PR with a toss of 12.59m (41-3.75ft) and is seventh all-time.
Jordan King (Dalton, OH/Central Christian) was the top D-III finisher in the high jump, clearing 1.90m (6-2.75ft) on his second attempt. His is third on the EMU charts.
In the women’s weight throw, Jenni Beck (Archbold, OH/Archbold) landed her PR and is sixth all-time at EMU with 10.27m (33-8.5ft). Tedi Sanders-Palmer (Philadelphia, PA/Christopher Dock) was a few inches shorter at 10.04m (32-11.25ft) and is at No. 7.
Next up are the ODAC Indoor Championships in Lynchburg, VA, next Friday.