Trailblazer Track and Field picks up multiple National Qualifiers at Butler Invitational

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Vincennes University Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field teams had an opportunity Saturday to take part in the first track and field competition at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion on the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

VU once again faced off against a loaded field of NCAA Division I athletes, including athletes from Western Michigan University, SIU-Edwardsville, Valparaiso, IUPUI and host Butler.

The Trailblazers more than held their own against this high level competition, coming away with two event victories and four NJCAA National Qualifiers.

The Vincennes men's team was led by three top-five finishers in the 200 meter dash, led by Desroy Jordan who took the top spot with a time of 21.68 seconds, good enough to qualify for Nationals.

Olamipo Ladipo and Tumaini Skinner were the next VU finishers with Ladipo taking third at 22.36 seconds and Skinner placing fifth at 22.44 seconds.

This trio teamed up with Clinton Laguerre in the 4x400 relay to place second with a time of 3:27.02.

Cohen Gallant was the next highest VU finisher, taking third in the 60 meter sprint with a time of 7.07 seconds.

Olegs Kozjakovs became the second VU National Qualifier, taking fourth in the Pole Vault after clearing a height of 4.54 meters.

Jeremiah Ziebart and Jacob Smith each placed top-10 in the shot put Saturday, with Ziebart posting a throw of 12.23 meters and Smith ending at 9.08 meters.

Ziebert would also take 12th in the weight throw with a distance of 11.50 meters along with Jacob Wickman at 12.37 meters in 10th and Jake Terrell at 13th at 10.73 meters.

The VU men's track team was rounded out by Caden Hostetler who placed 10th in the mile with a time of 4:38.41 and Tanner Spence and Bryaun Manuel took part in the 800 meters.

Spence posted a time of 2:02.34 for 11th overall, while Manuel finished at 2:03.67 for 13th.

"As promised, the new facility at the Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis was amazing," VU Head Track and Field Coach Marty Rogier said. "Along with great competition, it was a good opportunity for our team to start finding out what we are all about. Unfortunately, we were still down several of our key members because of illness that hit the whole team hard this week. The distance group was really impacted. Even those that could compete were running at less than full force."

"We are also still down a couple of our sprinters, so we were not able to do some things I was hoping for," Rogier added. "We have a very strong pole vault group that is just getting started. Sophia led the way today, winning and establishing the top jump in the country for the NJCAA. Her sister Julia survived a mishap during warmups to also qualify for Nationals. Olegs got on some new poles today so he had some difficulties adjusting. But I think there is going to be some really big jumps in the coming meets. By just making his opening bar, Olegs still qualified and is ranked fifth in the nation.

"The sprinters were impressive, even without the whole group," Rogier said. "Desroy had a nice run, easily winning the 200 in a qualifying time. Olamipo and Tumaini also did well in the 200, finishing third and fifth against some good sprinters. Cohen picked up third for us in the 60 meter sprint. It was Cohen's first meet and as nice as the track is, it is not really a fast surface as was evidenced by the times. There were some quality sprinters but the times were definitely slower than their regular times. I'm really looking forward to seeing what this group can do when we get them all on the track together."

The VU women's team was led by pole vaulting sisters Sophia and Julia Salvi.

Sophia led the way by taking the top spot in the pole vault with a highest jump of 3.82 meters and Julia posted at 3.22 meters to take fourth. Both good enough to qualify for Nationals.

The Vincennes women's track team was led by the 4x400 meter relay team of Emilly Barbosa, Adi Fuller, Jasmyn Self and Grayson Haynes who placed seventh with a time of 4:55.30.

Adi Fuller would then go on to place 13th in the 800 meters with a final time of 2:33.71.

The Trailblazers day at the track was finished up by Madison Davis who placed 12th overall in the shot put with a longest throw of 11.32 meters.

"The week started out rough for the distance squad with half of them getting sick over the weekend," VU Assistant Coach and Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga said. "We came into the meet today with a lot smaller of a squad. Adi had a great race in the 800 and will drop a lot of time when she races it next."

"Caden ran a solid mile and finished just off his best," Steigenga added. "Tanner and Bryaun had good 800 and 4x4 doubles. We were missing a few key pieces out there today but hopefully they will be able to ease back into training on Monday as we prepare for next weekend."

The VU track and field teams will look to continue to improve and add National Qualifiers next weekend when the Blazers take part in their first two-day meet at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 in Louisville, Ky.

The Blazers will then return to Louisville, Friday, Feb. 2 for the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic.

"Overall, it was a decent day for us but we have some areas that need some work and a few that need to step up their game," Rogier said. "The next couple weeks we will be in Louisville competing against some major, big time Division I talent. We are going to have the opportunity to see what we've got."

VINCENNES RESULTS

MEN'S RESULTS

60m

Cohen Gallant – 3, 7.07

200m

Desroy Jordan – 1, 21.68

Olamipo Ladipo – 3, 22.36

Tumaini Skinner – 5, 22.44

800m

Tanner Spence – 11, 2:02.34

Bryaun Manuel – 13, 2:03.67

Mile

Caden Hostetler – 10, 4:38.41

4x400 Relay

Jordan, Ladipo, Skinner, Laguerre – 2, 3:27.02

Pole Vault

Olegs Kozjakovs – 4, 4.54m

Shot Put

Jeremiah Ziebart – 8, 12.23m

Jacob Smith – 10, 9.08m

Weight Throw

Jacob Wickman – 10, 12.37m

Jeremiah Ziebart – 12, 11.50m

Jake Terrell – 13, 10.73m

WOMEN'S RESULTS

800m

Adi Fuller – 13, 2:33.71

4x400 Relay

Barbosa, Fuller, Self, Haynes – 7, 4:55.0

Pole Vault

Sophia Salvi – 1, 3.82m

Julia Salvi – 4, 3.22m

Shot Put

Madison Davis – 12, 11.32m