Both the men’s and women’s indoor track teams placed fourth during a quad meet held by Grand Valley State University, who placed first.
Along with GVSU, Hillsdale competed against Eastern Michigan University and Central Michigan University, which are both Division I teams.
“It helps our athletes to compete with Division I teams,” head men’s coach Jeff Forino said. “They feel what it is like to be at the best meets, competing with the best.”
Sophomore Matt Perkins took one of the highest places at the meet, placing fourth in the mile. He achieved his personal record, running the event in 4:11.11, which is a qualifying time for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Sophomore Joshua Mirth placed fifth in the 3K. Mirth’s main event is the 5K, Forino said. After this weekend’s performance, however, Mirth will be able to compete in both events at the Championships.
Sophomore Noah Hiser, who also plays on the Charger Football Team, finished just behind Junior Jared Van Dyke in the 400-meter dash.
“Even though he has never formally trained for track, he’s as good as anyone else on the team,” Forino said.
With the addition of Hiser and former baseball player sophomore Alex Mexicotte, the men’s team has added depth.
“Some new guys from football and baseball are really stepping up. Some of the older people are really consistent,” junior captain Elliot Murphy said. “All across the board we have really great performances.”
Freshman Emily Oren placed fourth in the mile with an NCAA qualifying time of 4:59. After cutting 14 seconds off her personal record, Oren continues to surprise her coaches with her performances.
“It’s not because I wasn’t sure of her talent level,” head women’s coach Andrew Towne said. “I just didn’t know she would run this fast in a meet this quickly.”
Sophomore Amy Kerst placed fifth in the mile with a time of 5:01, finishing right behind her teammate. Kerst was able to drop seven seconds from her personal record.
Senior Kathy Dirksen took fourth place in both shot put and the weight throw.
“We are much more balanced event-wise this year,” Towne said. “Hopefully our next recruitment will give us some more depth.”
The track team will now move into the “championship” part of the season, Forino said. Training will slow down as the athletes begin to relax their muscles in preparation for the NCAA Championships in February.
“Once our muscles feel a little better we are able to be more explosive,” Murphy said.
Forino also looks forward to performances from athletes in events besides running. During the month break in December, those athletes such as pole-vaulters and throwers cannot practice as well as the runners. Those athletes tend to show the biggest improvements near the end of the season.
“In the next three weeks you start to see everything we’ve been doing all season come together,” Forino said.
Next weekend both teams will compete in Findlay, OH at the Division II team challenge meet.
