VU Track and Field close out busy weekend at John Gartland Invitational

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Vincennes University Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field teams closed out their split weekend Saturday afternoon at the John Gartland Invitational hosted by Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Many of the VU throwers and jumpers, as well as a few distance runners competed in the meet Saturday.

The day got started at ISU with Vincennes native and Lincoln High School grad Haley Kohlhouse in the 60 meter dash.

Kohlhouse finished with a time of 9.07 seconds, good for 16th place overall. Kohlhouse would also compete in the 200 meter dash, finishing 17th with a time of 30.30 seconds.

Freshman Gwen Weaver (Hebron, Ind.) finished close behind Kohlhouse in the 200, placing 18th with a time of 33.89 seconds.

Freshman Julia Do Amaral Salvi (Brazil) placed eighth in the pole vault after recording a jump of 3.31 meters.

Freshman Natalie Wagler (Montgomery, Ind.) rounded out the VU women's competitors with a 14th place finish in the shot put with a final throw of 7.40 meters.

"Our Saturday meet at ISU was geared towards our throwers and jumpers, but we had a couple of distance runners, plus our own Coach Tyler Steigenga running the 5000 meters," VU Head Track and Field Coach Marty Rogier said. "Julia hit the National qualifying standard and is really heading towards some good jumps in the coming weeks. Ysnaria Dos Santos Vieira (Brazil) had a slight injury so we held her out but she has some big jumps coming as well."

On the men's side, freshman Griffin Worzella (Martinsville, Ind.) got the action started with a 12th place finish in the one mile run, crossing the line with a time of 5:05.24.

The best event of the day for the Trailblazers was the men's 5k, anchored by sophomore Ian Boit (Kimilili, Kenya) who finished sixth with a time of 16:21.55.

Sophomore Reed Lawless (Kouts, Ind.) and freshman Matthew Gray (Washington, Ind.) also placed in the men's 5k with Lawless finishing seventh at 16:39.64 and Gray placing eighth at 16:55.79.

In the men's field events freshman Olegs Kozjakovs (Latvia) placed ninth in the pole vault with a final jump of 4.08 meters.

Kozjakovs also led the Trailblazers in the shot put with a throw of 13.56 meters and a 17th place finish.

Sophomore David Beadle (Jamaica) was close behind with an 18th place finish after a throw of 13.24 meters.

Beadle would also compete in the weight throw and place 16th with a distance of 14.41 meters.

Sophomore Mason Harmes placed 21st in the shot put at 11.90 meters and 14th in the weight throw at 14.91 meters.

Freshman Cody Dawson placed 23rd in the shot put with a distance of 11.11 meters, while freshman Jacob Smith rounded out the VU day with a 24th place finish in the shot put at 10.09 meters and a 20th place finish in the weight throw at 9.38 meters.

"We got big PRs from David Beadle in the weight throw and the shot put today," Rogier said. "Mason also threw a big PR in the weight throw. David and Mason are both within striking distance of the National standard in weight throw."

"Olegs, a multi-athlete, also had a nice throw in the shot put after competing in the pole vault where he put some nice jumps together," Rogier added. "In the distance events, Reed and Ian both had PRs. Ian ran eight seconds faster than last outdoor season and Reed was 47 seconds faster in his first 5k since High School Cross Country."

The Trailblazer Track and Field teams will be back in action next week when VU travels to Allendale, Mich. to take part in the Bill Clinger Classic hosted by Grand Valley State University, Friday, Jan. 27.

"I'm excited for our new team members who just got on campus two weeks ago and have had very limited work," Roger said. "Julia, Ysnaria, Olegs, Desroy and Justin, who should all be adding some exciting performances to the team in the coming weeks."

"Overall, I thought it was a good weekend with two National qualifiers and several more that are very close," Rogier added. "I look forward to traveling to Grand Valley State next weekend where the competition continues to be very good."

VINCENNES RESULTS

WOMEN'S RESULTS

60 Meter

Haley Kohlhouse – 16, 9.07

200 Meter

Haley Kohlhouse – 17, 30.30

Gwen Weaver – 18, 33.89

Pole Vault

Julia Do Amaral Salvi – 8, 3.31m

Shot Put

Natalie Wagler – 14, 7.40m

MEN'S RESULTS

1 Mile

Griffin Worzella – 12, 5:05.24

5000 Meter

Ian Boit – 6, 16:21.55

Reed Lawless – 7, 16:39.64

Matthew Gray – 8, 16:55.79

Pole Vault

Olegs Kozjakovs – 9, 4.08m

Shot Put

Olegs Kozjakovs – 17, 13.56m

David Beadle – 18, 13.24m

Mason Harmes – 21, 11.90m

Cody Dawson – 23, 11.11m

Jacob Smith – 24, 10.09m

Weight Throw

Mason Harmes – 14, 14.91m

David Beadle – 16, 14.41m

Jacob Smith – 20, 9.38m