Marion, IN — Cool and blustery conditions set the backdrop for the Goshen College men’s track and field program’s first outdoor meet of the season Saturday, giving apt justification to the moniker of Indiana Wesleyan University’s Polar Bear Invite. Despite the less than ideal climate, Goshen was able to reel off four first-place finishes at the event, led by a double effort from junior Jason Young.

“For cool conditions, we had a good opening meet on Saturday,” said Rick Clark, Goshen head coach. “Each team had one double winner, and all of our athletes were able to post results near or at their competitive range. It was a good start for us overall.”

Young led the way by placing first in both the 200- and 400-meter dash, recording :22.34 and :50.84 clips, respectfully. Senior Daniel Constantine was right behind Young in the 200-meter event, finishing second in a time of :23.14. Freshman Nelson Kling completed a hat trick in the event, taking third place in a time of :23.14 as well.

Clark’s squad got additional blue ribbon performances from sophomore Luis Robledo in the pole vault (12 feet, 6 inches) and senior Dan Adcock in the triple jump (40 feet, 1 inch). Adcock was able to take second place in the long jump with a leap of 19 feet, 5 inches, while being a member of two second-place relay teams. Goshen finished runners up in both the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 relays, posting times of :46.04 in the former and 3:33.84 in the latter. Adcock teamed with Young, Constantine and senior Don Williams in the 4 X 100 race, while freshman Andrew Murto filled in for Williams in the 4 X 400 event. Williams took second place in the 110-meter hurdles (:15.64) and third in the high jump (5 feet, 11 inches) while Constantine finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (:11.34).

Goshen’s distance unit also produced positive results, with a trio of third-place finishes rounding off the docket. Murto finished third in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:07.04, while sophomore Jake Gillette (34:20.54 in the 10,000-meter run) and freshman David Rumsey (4:28.54 in the 1,500-meter run) finished with bronze as well.

Senior Tolu Kayode again led the Leafs’ throwing efforts, finishing third in both the hammer throw (150 feet, 10 inches) and the shot put (42 feet, 10 inches) while sophomore Jeff Hochstetler finished fifth in both the hammer (113 feet, 5 inches) and the discus (108 feet, 10 inches). Brother — and classmate — Justin finished third in the discus (123 feet, 2 inches).

“Probably the most encouraging aspect of the day was that we had five events for our men in which we had better performances than our best throughout the entire season last year,” Clark said. “Hopefully that speaks well for us as we progress through the outdoor season.”

Goshen will next host its lone home meet of the year on Saturday. The Goshen Invite is slated to begin with field events starting at 11 a.m. and running events at 11:30 a.m. Mid-Central Conference rivals Bethel College, Grace College and the University of St. Francis will compete. Olivet College will round off the field. Complete team and individual meet results will be posted at this site following the event.

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