TRACK & FIELD

Two Forester relay teams and two individuals qualified for the 2020 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships at the Indiana Wesleyan University Midwest Classic on Saturday.

Both men’s and women’s distance medley relay teams punched their ticket to the big stage. On the men’s side, the foursome of Haile Stutzman, Elijah Chesterman, Aaron Hendryx and Josiah Sovine won the DMR in 10:20.34 to automatically qualify and log the fastest time in the NAIA to date.

The Huntington women’s team of Olivia Von Gunten, Mara McFarland, Jessica Chojnacki and Molly Mitchell finished second in the DMR in 12:37.35 to hit the B mark.

Prior to teaming up with her relay team, Mitchell turned in a 1:35.11 to win the 600 meters by 2.6 seconds and automatically qualify for nationals. It is the fourth individual event the Cicero native has qualified for this indoor season. Her time also proves the third fastest time nationally and the second fastest time in the HU record books.

In addition to earning a trip to nationals in the DMR, Stutzman also hit the B standard in the mile by clocking in with a winning time of 4:21.94 which is the third fastest time in Forester history.

Adrien Gentie had a solid outing over the weekend by posting a first-place finish in the 3000 meters with a winning time of 8:50.37 which is the sixth fastest time in the HU record books. He also finished second in the mile with a time of 4:22.47. Avniel Barrow sprinted to second in the 60 meters in 6.99.

Other top five finishes for the Foresters included Mara McFarland in the 1000 meters (5th, 3:06.01), Peyton Depriet in the 400 meters (4th, 52.17), Elijah Chesterman in the 1000 meters (3rd, 2:34.40), Aaron Hendryx in the 1000 meters (4th, 2:38.24), Kent Yoder in the 3000 meters (4th, 8:58.47), Cam Worsham in the 60 meter hurdles (4th, 8.55) and Noah Bise in long jump (4th, 6.95 meters).

Huntington is back in action February 14-15 for the Crossroads League Indoor Championships at Indiana Wesleyan University.