A win and a time which got a 4x400-meter relay quartet closer to the best in the nation highlighted the first day of competition for Ashland University's men's indoor track and field team at the Grand Valley State Big Meet on Friday (Feb. 12).
The Eagles' men's 4x4 team of juniors
Tim Rumas and
Keshun Jones and seniors
Channing Phillips and
Trevor Bassitt won in 3:12.18, improving upon the previous provisional time for 2021 NCAA Division II nationals, March 12-13 in Birmingham, Ala. Depending on other results on Friday, AU's relay potentially moved into the No. 2 spot in the country.
The men's mile saw senior
Ian Johnson finish third and improve upon his previous provisional time at 4:06.37, while junior
Jake Hall placed fourth with a new provo of 4:07.98.
Starting the day on Friday, senior
Steven Kapes earned a new provisional time in the men's 5,000 run, finishing 15
th in 14:25.15. Kapes now has provisionally qualified for nationals in two events this winter, as he also did so in the 3,000 run in January.
Jones placed second in the men's 200 dash (21.82 seconds), while Phillips was third (21.95).
Ashland's men's and women's teams will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 13) at both GVSU and the Doug Raymond National Qualifier at Kent State.
AU
TF/DS
