Huntington, IN — With a light dusting of snow on the ground outside, the Goshen College men’s and women’s indoor track season officially opened on the inside, as the Leafs took a partial squad to the Huntington University Frozen Forest Classic Saturday afternoon.

Senior Tolu Kayode led the way for Goshen in the 35-pound weight throw, slinging the object a distance of 52 feet, good for the NAIA automatic qualifying mark for indoor nationals. Kayode also competed in the shot put event, charting a distance of 41 feet, 3 inches. His weight throw distance was good for second place overall at the meet, with his shot put garnering third-place honors.

“Tolu has worked very hard to be competitive at the national level, and his first throw of the year met the NAIA automatic qualifying standard for indoor nationals,” said Rick Clark, Goshen head coach. “It was a good way for him to start his senior season.”

Junior Jason Young took home Goshen’s only first-place efforts of the afternoon, finishing the 55-meter dash in a time of :6.65 and the 300-meter run in a time of :38.0. Senior Matt Hochstetler finished just behind Kayode in both the weight throw (45 feet, 10 inches) and the shot put (40 feet, 4 inches) while younger brother Justin (sophomore) finished fourth in the weight throw (44 feet, 2 inches) and fifth in the shot put event (39 feet, 10 inches).

The Leafs sent just two women athletes to the event, with freshman Deanna Kronk taking first place in both the 20-pound weight throw (39 feet, 8 inches) and the shot put (38 feet). Senior Rachel Yantzi finished third in the weight throw with a sling of 35 feet, 7 inches.

No team scores were available from the meet. Athletes from Huntington, Manchester College and Tri-State University also competed.

Goshen will next travel to the Findlay University Alltel Classic on Friday and Saturday, when more team members will see the first action of the year.