TRACK & FIELD

The HU track and field program split up over the weekend at three different meets to collectively break five school records and hit just as many A standards.

The bulk of the program competed at Indiana State’s Gibson Invitational & Multis with graduate student Destiny Copeland making a name for herself in the heptathlon. She finished with 4,573 points, a new program record, to rank fourth in the NAIA and finish seventh out of a field of 32 competitors mostly representing NCAA Division I schools.

In addition to setting a new heptathlon record, Copeland also rewrote the HU history books in long jump (5.77 meters) and triple jump (11.75 meters) while also automatically qualifying for nationals in both these events. Her 100 meter hurdles time of 15.24 is the sixth fastest time in Forester history.
Zach Collins also had a record-breaking performance at the Gibson Track & Field Complex in the 400 meters where he crossed the line in third-place time of 48.01 for a new HU record and an A standard.

Other notable performances at the Gibson Invitational included Destinee McGrady clocking in at 25.35 in the 200 meters and 57.51 in the 400 meters to record the fourth and third fastest time in Huntington history respectively. Erica Xayarath’s mark of 11.43 meters in triple jump earned her the fourth spot in the Forester record books and sixth place at the meet. She also finished second in high jump for second place (1.71 meters) and fifth in long jump for fifth place (5.65 meters).

A handful of distance athletes spent their weekend at Bucknell’s Bison Open. Abbey Gentz set a new HU record in the 10,000 meters with her time of 36:55.88 which automatically punched her ticket to nationals. Kent Yoder also hit the automatic qualifying mark in the 10,000 meters on the men’s side with his time of 30:49.99.

Austin Liepe toed the line of the 10K as well where he finished in 31:15.06 for a B standard and the sixth fastest time in HU history. Representing Huntington in the 5,000 meters was Emily Tedder who recorded the fourth fastest time in program history with a time of 18:19.15.

A few throwers made their way to Ball State’s We Fly Challenge where Carter Hull took 15th in hammer with a toss of 32.90 meters and 20th in discus with a heave of 29.89 meters. Aanyah Wright highlighted the women’s side with her 11th place finish in hammer (44.30 meters).

COACH AUSTIN ROARK’S COMMENTS:
“This weekend we were split between multiple places to try to take advantage of the great weather. The Bucknell distance group did amazing and came away with multiple NAIA standards and PR’s. I’m happy they were able to go out to Bucknell and represent HU. The throwers and pole vaulters were able to go to Ball State and several had PR’s too. The rest of the group went to Indiana State and competed against all NCAA divisions, NCJAA and NAIA programs proudly. We had amazing performances from Abbey Gentz and Zach Collins as they were able to achieve NAIA A standards and HU records in their first time ever competing in their respective events. Furthermore, Destiny Copeland had a great weekend by completing her first ever heptathlon in record fashion; and fought through the heat and fatigue to also achieve A standards in her normal jumping events. Many of our other athletes will be looking to make their season openers over the next couple of weeks as we turn our attention towards Little State Championship and the Drake Relays.”