Marion, IN - The Grace Christian University track & field team saw its first action of the 2025 outdoor season at Indiana Wesleyan University this past Friday and Saturday for the IWU Polar Bear Invite.  Conditions were windy all weekend, with temperatures in the 50s on Friday but then dropping into the 40s for Saturday's competition.  

Teams: Adrian, Ancilla, Anderson, Ball State Runners Association, Bethel, Community Christian College, Concordia, Cornerstone, Goshen, Grace College, Grace Christian University, Grand Valley, Hanover, Huntington, Indiana Kokomo, Indiana Wesleyan, Lansing CC, Lawrence Tech, Macomb CC, Madonna, Marian, Notre Dame, Purdue Fort Wayne, Saginaw Valley, Spring Arbor, SW Michigan, Taylor, Trine, Trinton, Valparaiso, Wayne State

Meet Highlights: 

• Freshman Ian Hinkle (Grand Ledge, MI) set a new school record in the men's 5k for outdoor track.  His time of 17:38.39 earned him a 6th place finish in his heat on Friday evening. 

• Freshman Austin Engel (Spring Lake, MI) ran a strong 100m in his debut in outdoor track for the Tigers.  His time of 12.09 seconds came within 0.07 seconds of his all-time personal best effort in the event.

• Freshman Jude Vargo (Penn Hills, PA) led the Tigers in the 200m competition, finishing in a time of 27.37 seconds.

• Senior Kent Herring (Evart, MI) was first across the line for the Tigers in the 400m dash, in a time of 57.33 and also set a new person record in shot put for outdoor track with a toss of 8.53m

• Sophomore Aidan Gansert (Fort Wayne, IN) led the Tigers in shot put (11.28m), discus (25.82m), hammer throw (27.42m), and javelin (32.82m).  

Next up for the Tigers is a return to Cedarville University, where they had an outstanding showing during indoor nationals last month.  The Yellow Jacket Open begins at 10 AM on Saturday, March 29.  The Tigers will be looking to hit their outdoor qualifying standards to earn a trip to the NCCAA Outdoor National Championships in Columbia, South Carolina this May.