(Featured image courtesy of Capital University Athletics)
The Indoor Track and Field season is already in full swing at Capital, and after 10 months without any competition, the team is starting off the season on the right foot.
The season started for the team on Jan. 24 at the early OAC showcase, after just a couple of weeks of practicing as a full team for the very first time this year. Josh Miller*, a fourth year, started out the season strong, placing first in both shot put and the weight throw, setting a school record in the latter. The team ultimately placed fifth at the event.
A week later the team had their first home meet of the season, and this meet also saw the women’s track team kick off their season at home. On the men’s side of things, freshman Zion Park took first place in the pole vault event, and sophomore Andy Fullmer placed in the top ten in four different events on the day.
As for the women, Bella McCarty, second-year, finished second in the pole vault, losing out on a first-place finish due to a technicality after tying in the event, and thrower Alexa Poling took second place in both the weight throw and the shot put.
Overall the Crusaders finished in fourth place in their home meet.
The next meet took the Crusaders up north to Berea, Ohio as both teams were looking to build off of their respective starts.
Miller once again took first place in both of his events after missing the previous week due to a pulled groin. Hayden Shaffer, first-year, finished second in the shot put, only coming behind Miller. Jonathan Brown, second-year, was a highlight for the runners, setting a personal record in the 200-meter dash, finishing second.
The women turned in a strong day as well, sophomore Alexa Poling won her first event, taking the victory in the weight throw by a full two meters, along with the first-place finish Poling also took second place in the shot put event as well. Freshman Hannah finished in the top five in two of her three events for the day.
As a team, the Crusaders took third place at the event.
At the OAC Elite Meet, Miller continued his run of dominance in his events, once again grabbing the top spots in both shot put and the weight throw.
Other performers from the event include Zion Park, first-year, who placed fourth in the pole vault, and Donavan Slattery who took ten seconds off of his personal record and finished tenth in the mile race.
The Crusaders will look to keep up the strong performances at the Rick Meindl Invitational which takes place on Feb. 21 at the Cap Center.
Miller, who was recently ranked number one in two events for division three, is proud of the team’s efforts so far. “We’re a little bit on the smaller side,” Miller said, “about 25 people on the total roster, however, we have some real talent. Right now we’re just trying to get into that rhythm.”
Even with the loss of Division III indoor nationals, Miller is ready to compete and ready to represent Capital. Miller said, “I’ve made a promise to this university and I fully intend to keep that promise, so hopefully outdoors goes off because there’s going to be hell to pay when I get into the ring for nationals”
*Editor’s Note: Josh Miller serves as a staff reporter for the Chimes.
