The nationally ranked Ashland University Indoor Track and Field team took on two different tune-up meets on Feb. 21-22.  

On Friday, the Eagles went to Grand Valley State University where the women’s 4×400-meter relay broke their own school record and placed second in their event. The quartet of junior Montana Walker, sophomore Brianna Chenevey, junior Jade Avance, and senior Mia Gardner ran a time of 3:43.00.  

Also, at GVSU, senior Brock Janowicz improved upon his provisional mark that qualifies him for the NCAA Division II Championships in Indianapolis from March 13-15 in the men’s weight throw. He threw 19.45 meters and placed third in the event.  

Back home at the Niss Athletic Center, the Eagles ran at their own tune-up meet on Saturday Feb. 22. Breaking records is becoming a part of the weekly routine for senior Lily Dowdell. She broke her own 3,000-meter run record that she set previously this season. She ran a time of 9:36.03, which is nearly nine seconds faster than the previous record she set this year. This earned her first place in the event by almost a full minute.  

The Eagles took advantage of the Collegiate Tune-up and earned their own provisional marks in their respective events. Fifth-year Doniven Jackson earned his provo mark and won the men’s 200-meter dash with a time of 21.63.  

Sophomore Brian Turner earned his provo mark in the men’s 400-meter dash, running a time of 48.41.  

Junior Nate Slater in the men’s 800-meter run with a time of 1:51.99.  

Sophomore Zach Vales in the men’s 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.17.  

The following Eagles also took advantage of the home turf and won their respective events: fifth year Aniya Seward in the women’s 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.617; senior D.J. Duncan in the men’s 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.03 and graduate student Alena Williams in the women’s 200-meter dash with a time of 25.01.  

The following Eagles earned second place in their respective events: sophomore Colton Thress in the men’s 800-meter run with a time of 1:51.73; redshirt freshman Ty Allen in the men’s 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.30; Jackson in the men’s 60-meter dash with a time of 6.93; sophomore Odessa Smith in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, improving her provo time, running 8.62; junior Abby Wheeler in the women’s high jump, jumping 1.66 meters; sophomore Sidney Sheppert in the women’s long jump, jumping 5.31 meters; fifth-year Chris Graber in the men’s triple jump, jumping 13.4 meters and sophomore Justin Richards in the men’s long-jump, jumping 7.01 meters.  

The following Eagles placed third in their events, respectively: senior Madison Stacey in the women’s 200-meter dash with a time of 25.32; sophomore Liam Mann in the men’s 60-meter dash with a time of 7.00; Graber in the men’s long jump, jumping 7.00 meters; junior Garret Baker in the men’s pole vault, vaulting 5.33 meters; senior Hannah Berhide in the women’s 400-meter dash with a time of 58.96 seconds; Janowicz in the men’s weight throw, throwing 18.57 meters; freshman Olivia Saylor in the women’s 800-meter run with a time of 2:22.73; Seward in the women’s triple jump, jumping 10.88 meters and senior Sarah Masuoka in the women’s pole vault, vaulting 3.72 meters.  

Next up for the Eagles is the G-MAC Championships hosted at the Niss Athletic Center on Feb. 28 through March 1.