The track and field team started February break early, traveling to Cedarville, Ohio on Feb. 19 for the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) indoor track nationals. This meet concluded the indoor season that began in mid-December with a competition in Brockport. Arriving last Thursday afternoon, the team had an opportunity to practice on Cedarville’s track and explore the campus, cafeteria, and coffee shop over the long weekend.
The meet began last Friday night for Houghton with high jump, hurdles, the distance medley relay, 55 meter dash, the 4 by 200 relay race, and the 5K. Marshall Brady placed 16th in the high jump, Brady and Josiah Evans placed tenth and 15th in the 55 meter hurdles, and Enrico Sukhedo placed 13th in the 55 meter dash. The women’s 4 by 200 placed 12th with the team of Nikki Garns, Savannah Doviak, Kate Taggart, and Fiona Daloia. The men’s 4 by 200 meter relay team also placed 12th with Jordan Cady, Enrico Sukhedo, Terry Krangar, and Dan Becker.
On the distance side of the team Cara Davenport (17th place) and Austin Groff (20th place) competed in the 5K. Both the men’s and women’s teams ran a distance medley relay (DMR). A DMR is comprised of a 1200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter, and 1600 meter leg. The DMR placed 14th, and the women’s DMR placed fourth with the team members of Rebekah White, Savannah Doviak, Nikki Garns, and Joanna Friesen. Rebekah White described the relay as “the highlight of my weekend. The opportunity to compete with such great athletes was amazing. I am so proud of how we did, and even happier I can share that with three of my teammates.”
On Saturday, the highlight of the day was Andrea Melhorn in the weight throw, placing fourth with a throw of 15.11 meters. Jordan Cady also placed tenth in the triple jump with 12.59 meters. Nikki Garns placed 13th in the 400 meter dash, and the women’s and men’s 4 by 400 meter relay teams ran as well, placing 11th and 14th.
Savannah Doviak commented on the meet in general, “Whether they were running, throwing, or on a relay, everyone performed the best they could. I wouldn’t have wanted to end my last indoor season any differently.”
Although Cedarville didn’t offer much of a change in pace from “Houghton weather” the gracious hosts did give a pint of ice cream to every athlete at the closing ceremony. The team traveled late into the night back to Houghton, and dispersed to relax and train over February break. This week marks the beginning of a new season of competition and training, culminating in the NCCAA outdoor nationals hosted by Shorter University in Rome, Georgia.