T&F Kicks Off Season at Iowa State

RESULTS - MEN

RESULTS - WOMEN

The men's and women's track and field teams at Hannibal-LaGrange University kicked off the indoor season by traveling to Ames, Iowa to compete in the Iowa State Holiday Classic. Competing against numerous NCAA Division I and II programs, including the host institution, a young Trojans team got a chance to put all of their fall training to the test.

The men's team was led by junior Andre Townsend who, in his HLG debut, placed second in the 60 meter hurdles. Andre's time of 7.99 in the finals earned him an automatic qualifying mark for the 2011 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in March and currently stands as the top time in NAIA for that event. Including Andre's effort, a total of four school records were broken on the men's side, including the 300m sprint, where freshman Bernardo Massuchin set a new standard with a time of 37.30, which was good for 14th place. Freshman Cole Peck started his collegiate career in style by setting a new record mark in the 600 yard race. Cole's time of 1:17.36 placed 7th in the event. In addition, the men's 4x400m relay team of Townsend, Peck, Massuchin, and freshman Stephen McTeer smashed the old school record by completing the event in a time of 3:30.70 and placing third in the event.

On the women's side, sophomore thrower Abbie Herrold made a strong return in her first meet since a serious ankle injury during last year's outdoor season. Abbie set a new school record in the weight throw with a mark of 11.53m. Freshman Sarah Wilson set a new school record in the 600 yard race, placing 5th with a time of 1:33.02. Fellow freshman Mandi Riddle, fresh out of cross country, was not far behind, placing 7th n the same event (1:36.88). In the pole vault, senior Cara Grinde got off to a solid start, placing second with a mark of 3.25m. freshman Cailey Wilkinson placed 4th in the same event, clearing 3.10m in her first collegiate competition.

COACH COMMENTS: Overall I was pretty pleased with the effort today. With so many freshmen, it was great for them to come out and get a taste of competition heading into the holiday break. We have a ton of potential on this team and I look forward to seeing steady improvement as the season goes on. On top of that, we are blessed to have a great group of athletes who have worked hard all fall and just have strong attitudes and work ethic.

A handful of team members will compete in the Missouri Invitational on Friday, January 7 in Columbia, Missouri. The meet begins at 12pm.