TRACK & FIELD

A handful of HU track and field athletes competed Friday at a last chance meet, the Dr. Keeler Invitational hosted by North Central, and for Aspen Dirr the pay-off was great. The meet, with representation from over 110 schools, is designed to give athletes one last shot for qualifying for nationals.

Saddled with injury most of the outdoor season, Dirr toed the line in the 800 meters for just the second time this spring and her time of 2:15.81 was enough to claim a spot at the 2019 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Gulf Shores (Ala.).

For the senior harrier, it’s the second event she’s qualified for this season. Last week at the Crossroads League Championships, she ran a leg of 4×800 meter relay team that earned the right to run on the big stage by clocking in at 9:18.91. Other members of the relay team include Jessica Chojnacki, Mara McFarland and Molly Mitchell.

Mitchell and McFarland ran the 800 on Friday too and turned in a 2:18.96 and 2:30.21 respectively.

On the men’s side, the 4×100 meter relay team, consisting of Heath Atkins, Andrew Zachary, Avniel Barrow and Peyton Depriest, needed to run a 41.99 but just missed the qualifying mark by clocking in at 42.54.

Sophomore Adrien Gentie broke his own school record in the 1500 meters by turning in a 3:57.07. Cameron Worsham posted a 15.62 in the 110 meter hurdles while Elijah Chesterman (1:55.77), Aaron Hendryx (1:58.66) and Luke Zeddis (2:06.29) ran the 800 meters.

NAIA nationals is slated for May 23-25.