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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – They have taken slightly different paths to get there, but seniors Jake Gillette (Niles, Mich.) and Justin Hostetler (Orrville, Ohio) finished their collegiate careers in similar fashion at this weekend’s NAIA Outdoor National Track and Field Championships.
Appearing in his third-consecutive outdoor national championship, Gillette placed 19th in 2007 (click here for related article) and 23rd in 2006 in the marathon (click here for related article). The marathon has become somewhat of a powerhouse event for the Maple Leafs, who have had an All American in the sport in each of the past seven years. The most recent was Laura Herr, Gillette’s fiancé, who finished 5th with a time of 3:02.34 at last year’s championships (click here for related article).
With the outdoor championships being held at Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville for the first time, a new marathon course was unveiled – after several last-minute changes. It turned out to be one of the hilliest and most difficult courses in recent history, even according to Lindenwood University coach Paul Wright, who was charged with the course design and changes after the original concept was denied by government officials. “It was a brutal course,” said Wright, who had little other options on a campus filled with ups and downs.
After improving his marks in his first two NAIA national marathons, the hills of SIU-Edwardsville got the best of Gillette as he finished 40th in a time of 2:56.46. Typically a conservative runner – going out slow and picking up his pace in the final third or so of the race – Gillette could not muster enough energy after navigating the hills of the course.
“It really was not one of his best races,” said long-distance coach Doug Yoder, who added, “It happens in these type of races. On a course like this it is really just an accomplishment to even finish.” That really was the case as 11 of the 61 who left the starting line in the men’s field did not complete the event.
While Gillette was not able to continue the run of marathon All American honors for Goshen, he has put a cap to an outstanding career on the track and cross country teams.
“He has been an outstanding leader on and off the track,” added Yoder. “He has been a great example to the younger guys.”
This weekend marked the first national appearance for Hochstetler, who shattered the school record in the discus at the Mid-Central Conference Championships in late April (click here for related article).
Hochstetler has long been a leader for the Maple Leafs in the weight throw, hammer throw, shot put, and discuss, but had never had such a breakthrough to the national stage.
Just as Hochstetler had to wait three years before getting his chance for a national championships appearance, the senior had to sit and wait a little longer for his chance to compete. Hochstetler patiently sat for the first two and half days of events, cheering on his teammates and waiting for his event late Saturday afternoon.
Finally, getting his chance, Hochstetler couldn’t equal his marks from the MCCs, but did register a throw of 142’9”, his second best of the season.
For Hochstetler, the experience was worth the wait.
While their path has been different in getting to this year’s championships, Gillette and Hochstetler have a major similarity in their experience at Goshen. Both athletes were following in the shoes of older brothers who held Maple Leafs track and field records. Justin Gillete is the current Goshen record holder in the marathon. The former All American holds a mark of 2:29.14, while the discus record that Hochstetler broke this year was of older brother Matt.
Also competed in the final day of competition for the Leafs was Deanna Kronk. Having already participated in the hammer throw – finishing 12th on Thursday – Kronk set her sights on the shot put ring.
Kronk again had to deal with poor weather as rain again made for a slick throwing surface. With a top throw of 28-feet, 7-inches, Kronk took 22nd. With one more year of eligibility Kronk looks to return to St. Louis in both the shot put and the hammer throw in 2009. Having missed the qualifying mark for the discus by just two feet this season, Kronk will look to make it a three-event adventure in 2009. |
 
Senior Jake Gillette
Senior Justin Hochstetler
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