Huntington, IN — Goshen may have sent just a pair of female competitors to Saturday’s Frozen Forest Invitational at Huntington University, but it signified the start to the 2006 indoor season just as well.

Freshman Deanna Kronk took first place in both the 20-pound weight throw (39 feet, 8 inches) and the shot put (38 feet), leading the Leafs’ limited efforts on the afternoon. Senior Rachel Yantzi finished third in the weight throw with a sling of 35 feet, 7 inches.

“Rachel and Deanna represented us well Saturday,” said Rick Clark, Goshen head coach. “Deanna was able to finish first in both her events, while Rachel showed some nice improvements from last year in her event.”

Senior Tolu Kayode led the way for Goshen’s men’s representative, garnering a distance of 52 feet in the 35-pound weight throw, 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,” Clark said. “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).

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.