John McGovern

Viewpoints Editor

The Fighting Scots women’s track and field team took first place at the annual Wooster Invitational last Friday, while the men’s squad fought hard for a third place finish. After running with some of the best athletes in the country over spring break at the University of South Florida, the balmy weather of the Sunshine State refused to travel back with the Scots as they duked it out with seven schools on a rainy afternoon. After a delay for thunder and the ensuing monsoon, the athletes took to a damp Carl Manson Track and ran well into the night.

The women’s team continued their indoor season’s success in the field events. First-year Ellen Sandin flew over 17 feet to take first in the long jump, and placed second in the triple jump in front of fellow Scots Abena Boamah-Acheampong ’13 and fourth-place Jocelyn Lion ’15. Boamah-Acheampong rose to top honors in the high jump, followed closely by Kendra Shehy ’15 in second place. The outdoor season grants a few new events for competition, including the javelin throw, a welcomed success for the Scots as Katharina Kroll ’12 threw for 117 feet, good enough for second place.

Not to be outdone, the women ran with power on the track, dominating the distance races. Wooster nabbed five of the top six finishes in the 800m, led by senior Kelsie Herring. Meredith Shaul ’12, coming off a strong performance in the 5000m over spring break, fell to Edinboro’s Elizabeth Budzinski in the 1500m by four tenths of a second, the equivalent of blinking twice. Jensen Buchanan ’14 and junior Erin Plews-Ogan grabbed firsts in the 400m hurdles and steeplechase, respectively.

The men’s team found less success in the field but fought hard on the track. Memorable races include Ethan Deselem ’13 and Robert Flagg ’12 finishing within five hundredths of a second from each other in the 100m dash chasing Westminster’s Zach Henry, and Luke Hutchings-Goetz ’14 and Morgan Clark ’14 placing third and fourth in the 5000m. Firsts include the 4x100m relay and Ryan Kish ’15 in the 400m hurdles.

With 233 points, the women’s squad bested second place Westminster by near 100 points, and the men’s 99 points tied Ashland for third. The Wooster Invite marks the end of home meets for the Fighting Scots, who travel to Oberlin College today.