The Spartans competed well in their second meet of the season this weekend, with the men coming in first out of four with a score of 232, and the women second with a score of 162. The team competed against area schools including Baldwin Wallace University, John Carroll University and Geneva College. The men’s team won seven individual events in total and the women won two, with both men and women taking top places in several other events.

On the men’s side, senior captain Harry Weintraub took first in the weight throw with a distance of 59 feet and three quarters of an inch, ranking him in the top 10 nationally. The team’s other senior captain, Andrew Barnhart, proved his superiority in the triple jump with a distance 40’8.25”.

On the track, the men took first in five more events. In the distance events, Brian Kelley ran a 16:33.52 in the 5000-meter run, David Dixon a 9:02.33 in the 3000, Joe Ledger a 2:43.29 in the 1000 and Abdallah Soliman a 2:01.72 in the 800. For the 400-meter dash, Devon Below finished first with a 52.06. Also, Joshua Malone ran a 6.82 in the 55-meter dash, breaking the school record.

As for the women, the Spartans took first in two individual events and placed in top spots for several others. Christen Saccucci triumphed in the pole vault competition after she cleared the bar at 10 feet; the other victory went to Keri Walter, who claimed her supremacy with a mark of 34’0.25” in the triple jump. Walter also came in second in the long jump, with a distance of 5.55 meters. In the 200-meter dash, both second and third were taken by Mckenzie Braun (28.27) and Cecelia Hanline (29.18). Braun also placed third in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.90. Third place was taken in both the mile, 800-meter run and 3000-meter run by Kayla Andersen (5:43.29), Abby Casalnova (2:29.93) and Evy Hail (11:37.52). Rachel Tan also took third in the high jump, with a distance 1.53 meters.

This is a good beginning to a season that can hopefully only improve as the weather gets warmer. With meets and classes running on until May, the Spartans may find this semester a bit daunting. However, the team is tough and capable; there is no doubt in their capabilities on or off the track.