INDIANAPOLIS, IN - This past weekend the Kentucky Wesleyan Men's and Women's Track & Field teams took part in the University of Indianapolis Tom Hathaway Distance Carnival. The weekend was highlighted by the women's distance medley relay, which won the event and set a new school record in the process. 

Head Coach Sol Stephens stated "the school DMR record has been a topic of conversation and it's great to check it off the list. The time puts them on the National list as well. The entire 4 pack put together a superb weekend racing in back-to-back days. We have to get that dose to prepare for indoor GMAC. Lange making finals in the hurdles show her improvements. There is room to grow but she's eager to learn. SVD, Keller and Lesniak ran good miles Friday and then came back with stellar legs Saturday. Lesniak ran faster in the DMR than in her open."
 
The distance medley relay team consisting of Kate Keller, Abigail Lesniak, Sarah Vanderhoof, and Claire Lange, was flying on the track on Saturday. They ran a time of 12:41.77 to win the event and set a new school record by 14 seconds. Lesniak (5:22.37), Keller (5:27.21), and Vanderhoof (5:27.42) all ran the mile well, with each athlete placing in the top ten. Karlee Hoffman took fifth in the 5000 meters, running a time of 19:01.19. Claire Lange improved on her prelim time by .16 seconds to take eighth in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.70. Wesleyan put together two 4x400 teams that finished in the top ten. The team consisting of Jenna Burns, Yogi McKnight, McKenzie Davis, and Kate Keller took fourth with a time of 4:26.52, while the team of Karyn Williams, Abigail Lesniak, Havanah John, and Abby Green ran a time of 4:34.34 to take seventh. 

"Sloane, just missing the heptathlon school record, is still learning the consistency it takes for Multi success. She knows what's needed and I have no doubt she is going to get after it."

Karyn Williams continued her strong jumping career with a fifth place finish in the long jump and a fourth place finish in the triple jump. Freshman Alexandria Schneider jumped a 9.24m in the triple jump to take sixth. Rae Sloan was the lone multi-event competitor for the Panthers, taking fifth in the pentathlon with 2,163 points. 

Lesniak summed up the weekend best, saying "I'm so proud of each and every panther that competed this weekend. We had a lot of competition this meet, but we walked away with many personal bests and even a new school record in the DMR. The records, PRs, and strong finishes show that the team put in the hard work to get it done. What a great day to be a Panther."

On the men's side, Arthur Powell IV highlighted the sprints with a time of 7.16 in the 60m dash, good for sixth place. Landon Binion ran well in the 400, taking 12th with a time of 53.34. Tanner Hayes took second in his section and 14th overall in the 3000m with a time of 9:36.38. Ashton Weaver set a new personal and school record in the 60m hurdles, flying over the track in a time of 8.74. Matt Wilson took fifth in both the shot put (14.09m) and weight throw (14.69m). 

"All things considered, the men competed tough.," said Stephens. "Everyday moving forward is about the small things it takes to develop patterns that will lead to improvements. We're at a good place currently but I see what else we need to ultimately get to where they want to be. Short staffed or not, we have work to do. Weaver put together a solid prelim race and then doubled back an hour later to set the school record in the 60 hurdles at 8.74. We're working changing some integral things to make the start and transition more fluid. There's more room for improvement. Young Arthur ran very good preliminary 60 for his PR. He's maturing on and off the track and it's starting to show. The sprint group has to be recalibrated but we'll be fine come May. Wilson making finals in the both throws is great. The GMAC historically boasts throwing so this early season work has good for him. He has some corrections in his technique but he's willing and his willingness is what's going to make him better."

Kentucky Wesleyan will compete again next weekend when they travel to Terra Haute, Indiana for the Indiana State Blue-White Classic.