HIGH POINT, N.C. – Paced by junior Mason Hazel and senior Olivia Gardner's first-place finishes, nine Anderson University men's and women's track athletes posted stellar marks, Friday at High Point's Ninth Annual VertKlasse Meeting, which was hosted at Dick Vert Stadium.
Gardner outdueled 18 other runners to win the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase in a time of 11:01.01, while Hazel set a meet record by winning the men's 10,000 meter run in a time of 31:28.24 – more than 19 seconds ahead of the nearest runner.
Junior Haylee Love finished fourth overall and tops among NCAA Division II runners in the women's 1,500 meter run in a time of 4:34.64, while freshman Rebecca Faircloth claimed 74th in a time of 5:16.62. Sophomore Martha Coleman paced the Trojan contingent in the women's 5,000 meter run by finishing 15th in a time of 18:36.90, while sophomore Abigail Bozarth placed 17th in a time of 18:38.80. Classmate Maddie Buddenberg crossed the finish line in 34th place in a time of 19:37.79.
Senior Ben Boerma finished 15th in the men's 5,000 meter run a time of 15:43.77, with freshman Brooks Hovis finishing 18th in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase in a time of 10:33.43.
Love is slated to compete in Saturday's 800 meter run, with the freshman trio of Faircloth, Morgan Bridges and Emily Pitts also scheduled to run in the event.
