Bringing home one school record and five national-qualifying performances from the Findlay Classic on Friday, the track and field season looks promising for Goshen College.
“For an opening meet,” said Goshen Head Coach Rick Clark, “we had some real quality performances.”The Maple Leafs men’s distance medley relay team finished second at the season opener with a record-breaking time for Goshen College of 10:40.34. Exceeding the previous record of 11:00.14 that had not been touched since 2005, were team members Samuel Chege, a senior; Alain Chaponniere, a first-year; Billy Funk, a first-year; and David Rumsey, a senior.
The women’s team also had an exceptional day. Laura Harnish, a senior, qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:35.01. Laura Stoesz, a senior, and Tessa Horst, a senior, finished third and fourth in the 3,000-meter racewalk.
Other National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics qualifiers included Deanna Kronk, a senior, who tossed the 20-pound weight throw 49′ 1 ½” and Abri Houser, a senior, who qualified with a time of 9.39 in the 60-meter hurdles.
Though the Maple Leafs lost four athletes to graduation, their depth remains consistent with plenty of returning talent.
“Last year,” said Clark, “the women’s team placed third in the Mid-Central College Conference, which is the highest finish in program history. We have the capabilities to be as strong since we have almost everyone back and with another year of experience.”
