Jackets Compete at DePauw Qualifier

GREENCASTLE, Ind. – The Defiance College men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the DePauw Indoor Qualifier on Friday, March 7.

Kaitlin Switzer and Alex Thiel each had great performances for the women. Switzer broke her second DC indoor record of the season, finishing the mile in 5:46.16 to break the previous mark by nearly ten seconds. Thiel set the school record in the triple jump (33-04.00) on her way to a second-place finish, while also finishing third in the pole vault after clearing a personal-best 9-00.25.

Samantha Higdon finished second in the weight throw, falling just a half-inch short of her personal-best with her toss of 50-05.00. Kristen Goldstein earned a third-place finish in the 55m dash with a time of 7.78, while Amanda Tooley was fourth in the shot put with her toss of 35-11.50.

Brad Zarembski brought home the only event title for the Jackets, clearing 6-06.25 to win the high jump. Trevor Matuszak finished second in the weight throw as his toss of 58-05.25 kept him undefeated against Div. III opponents. Andrew Baker ran his best of 800m of his young collegiate career, finishing with a time of 2:05.16.

The Jackets return to action next weekend, March 14-15, when they travel to Ada, Ohio for the NCAA Indoor Nationals.