On Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, the second annual Jud Logan Light Giver Open took place in the Niss Athletic Center. 

Many of the Eagles’ best shined as the meet went on from Friday into Saturday, with numerous first-place finishes and podium placements.

The women’s 4×400 relay, consisting of seniors Cheyanne Davis and Macy Creamer, Freshman Jade Avance, and Sophomore Mia Gardner, took first place with a time of 3 minutes and 50 seconds. Sophomore Caden Morris also won in the men’s long jump event with a distance of 7.30 meters. 

Although Ashland Only won two events, they finished with 15 total podium finishes throughout the entirety of the 32-event meet. 

The weekend wasn’t just about competing, however. For many, it was about remembering the great Jud Logan. 

Ashland University’s track and field program has been producing talent for a multitude of years. Much of that has to do with the recruiting and coaching of former head coach Jud Logan, who passed away last year due to COVID-19 complications.

“Jud meant a lot to us, and still means a lot to us. He’ll still come up daily, weekly in our conversations,” said Assistant Sprints and Hurdles Coach Eric Evans. “Some of the sayings and philosophies that he had we continue with those every day. So many of these athletes were recruited by [Logan], and the ability to compete in his name makes it really special.”

The indoor season continued into the weekend of Feb. 10 and 11 at two venues, where the athletes competed at the Grand Valley State Big Meet and the SPIRE Indoor games. 

Although no new provisional marks were handed in, both the men’s and women’s 4×400 meter relays had improved times. Sophomore Sarah Masuoka also improved her pole vault measurement, with a height now of 3.85 meters.

Ashland University now has 23 athletes achieve provisional marks for the NCAA indoor season throughout 13 events Meaning that those athletes now qualify for the NCAA Indoor National Meet, which will take place in Virginia Beach, Va.

Once the meet in Virginia Beach comes to a close, the track season shifts from indoor to outdoor, with more events and more ways for AU’s athletes to succeed. 

Evans points out the ability to not have to shift much of their gameplans as much since the construction of the Niss Athletic Complex.

“We really don’t have to change a whole lot,” Evans said. “In the old Conard Field house, we would have to adjust some of the workouts to work in such a smaller area.”

The indoor season continued into the weekend of Feb. 18, where they head to the Raider Tune-Up in Alliance, Ohio, as they approach the transition from indoor to outdoor.