Both Ashland University track and field teams finished second Saturday Feb. 5 at the NCAA D-II Challenge hosted by Findlay.

The AU women, ranked second in the nation, finished with 131 points. The team championship went to Lincoln, with 137 points. Hillsdale and Ferris State tied for third place with 64 points each. Findlay (54.5) was third. The women’s field consisted of 16 teams.

The Ashland men finished as the runner-up with 107.5 points. The host Oilers won the team title with 128 points. Tiffin (84) was third and Lincoln (79.5) was fourth. Hillsdale (56) rounded out the top five finishers. The men’s race numbered 18 schools.

The AU women brought home five gold medals. In the 400 meters, senior Steph Tinney took first place with a time of 57.22. Senior Abby Kacsandi was the top finisher in the high jump (5-5.75) and was fourth in the triple jump (35-10.75). Junior Kelly Ash finished first in the shot put (48-1.75) and fourth in the weight throw (58-10). Ash entered the competition with the fourth best throw in the country. Ash’s teammate, senior Tara Cooper, led the pack in the weight throw. Her best throw was 60-11.50.

In the pentathlon, senior Lisa Roth finished first with 3500 points. Tinney, Kacsandi, Cooper and Ash all won national championships in 2010.

AU also received noteworthy efforts from several other women. Senior Leah Allen was third in the 800 (2:21.91) and fourth in the mile (5:08.91). Sophomore Stephanie Stoffel was second in the 3000 (10:22.89) and third in the mile (5:08.65). Junior Cheryl Bourne claimed a silver medal in the triple jump (36-6.25).

For the men, senior Tom Scott won the gold medal in the mile (4:19.08). Senior Cameron Johnson was fourth in that event (4:25.26) and freshman Jacob Sussman was fifth (4:26.20).

Senior Matt Stratman finished first in the 3000 (8:41.21) and sophomore Brock Weaver was third (8:44.76). AU’s 4X4 relay was first in 3:15.78. The Eagles entered the race, landing sixth in the nation and raced by the top team in the country, Lincoln.

In the throws, the Eagles got their typically strong effort from senior Kurt Roberts.

He received first place in the shot put (60-4.50). Roberts is the defending NCAA champ. This weekend’s field included seven of the top 25 ranked throwers in the nation.

Third place in the event went to AU sophomore D.J. Duke. He wrapped up the bronze medal with a throw of 58-6.50.

Sophomore Richard Quick was the runner-up in the weight throw (64-9.25).