Cedarville, OH - The Grace Christian University Track & Field teams had a record-setting day at the Cedarville University Yellow Jacket Open on Saturday.  With temperatures in the upper 70's and a 20 mph wind, the conditions were ripe for a big day for the Tigers and they stepped up in a big way.

Teams Competing: Adrian, Ashland, Cedarville, Central State, Cleveland State, Davenport, Elmhurst, Findlay, Grace College, Grace Christian University, Indiana University Kokomo, Indiana Tech, John Carroll, Lawrence Tech, Northern Kentucky, Oakland, Ohio Christian, Ohio Northern, Shawnee State, Trine, University of Cincinnati Club, University of Michigan Club, Wayne State, Wittenberg, and Wright State

Meet Highlights:

• Freshman Austin Engel (Spring Lake, MI) demolished his previous personal record in the 100m dash and broke the Grace school record in the event with a time of 11.74 seconds.  The previous record had stood since 2017 (Montae Harris, 11.76 sec.).  Engel also set a new school record in pole vault at a height of 3.35m.  That mark results in him being ranked #13 in the nation for the NCCAA in pole vault.

• Freshman Jude Vargo (Penn Hills, PA) set new personal records in all three events he competed in on Saturday.  His time of 59.78 seconds in the 400m dash puts him at #3 all-time in school history.  His other personal best marks came in long jump (5.05m) and the 200m dash (26.42 seconds).

• Freshman Kaylee Morris (Mancelona, MI) became the 3rd fastest female in school history with her effort in the 100m dash.  Her time of 13.85 seconds earned her a 5th place finish in her race.

• Freshman Ian Hinkle (Grand Ledge, MI) earned the 2nd fastest time in school history for the 10k on the track Saturday.  Hinkle's time of 37:28.05 ranks him 18th in the country for the event, as he also set a new personal best mark.  

• Senior Alyssa Gennety (Jackson, MI) normally competes in distance events for the Tigers (5k/1500m); however, a nagging hip injury has kept her off the track all season.  With some improvement and eager for a chance to compete in her senior season, Gennety set a new personal best mark in the women's long jump competition at 3.82m.  She also nearly cleared the opening height of the high jump competition too.  Although not her forte of events, it was a win to just have Gennety competing again.

• Senior Kent Herring (Evart, MI) and sophomore Aidan Gansert (Fort Wayne, IN) had new season best marks in the javelin event (29.22m and 37.26m, respectively).  Herring also had a season best result in discus (23.28m).

• Senior Ben Bird (Allendale, MI) also had a season best mark in the men's 1500m race (5:21)

The Tigers will be back on the road this coming weekend competing at Wabash College in the Huntsman Family Invite on Saturday, April 5th in Crawfordsville, Indiana.  Events begin at 10:30 AM.  This will be the last out-of-state meet before a series of three meets in Grand Rapids to close out their regular season schedule.