Tiffin University traveled to Findlay, Ohio to compete in the DII Challenge, with the men finishing third of 18 teams while the women placed 6th of 17.
On the men's side, Findlay won with 128 points while Ashland was next at 107.5. Tiffin totaled 84 points for third. For the women, Lincoln (MO) won, edging Ashland in a close score 137-131. Hillsdale and Ferris State were next, tying with 64 points, while Findlay just nipped the Dragons 54.5 to 54.
"It was our first scored meet of the year," head coach Jeremy Croy explained. "We were at two sites and everyone competed and it made for a long weekend. However, I am happy with our results. We had a lot of personal and seasonal bests this weekend."
The highlight of the meet may have come from freshman and Upper Sandusky graduate
Lynzi Daughenbaugh in the 60 meter hurdles. She set a new school record with a 9.01 in the prelims, the 27th-best mark in the country in NCAA Division II. She took sixth in the finals with a 9.17.
"It was nice for Daughenbaugh to get the school record," explained Croy. "She has been so close five or six times. It was good to see a local kid go out and do great things as a freshman."
Also on the women's side,
Kira Beckham turned in the third best time in school history in the 60 meters, crossing the line in 7.90. She currently has the second-fastest time in the GLIAC.
Ranked ninth in the nation, John Pemberton took fourth in a strong field with a throw of 54-6.75.
Tiffin had no event champions but a number of second place finishes. Zachary Lathrop was second in the 800 meters in 1:55.64, Jeremy Lee took second in the mile in 4:23.5, and Lee Miller was second in the pole vault with 15-4.25. MIller's mark of 4.68 meters in 18th in the country.
Stephen Miles was third in the 800 in 1:57.14, while Zachary Cernansky took third in the 60 hurdles in 8.3 seconds. Antonio Combs was also third in the long jump with 21-7.5.
Other top finishers for the men included Deven Keene (5th in 200), Dominic Colvin (4th in 400), Dominique O'Neil (5th in 3000), Combs (5th in triple jump), and Travis LeFlore (4th in high jump).
For the women,
Meghan Gill had the top finish of the day, taking third in the high jump with 5-3.75.
TU also had a number of fourth place finishes, as
Ashley Gilroy (3000),
Lynzi Daughenbaugh (high jump), Ashley Dewitt (shot put), and the 4x400 relay team all came in fourth.
Other top finishers for the Lady Dragons included
Rebecca Miller (5th in 800) and
Kayla Ellks (5th in long jump).
