JOLIET, Ill. - Several William Woods University Owls made the most of their last opportunity to compete before nationals as
Jenson Starr hit the NAIA "B" Standard to qualify for nationals in the 10,000-meter run,
Demario Wright broke WWU's 200 dash school record and
Ian Schwierjohn clocked the Owls' second-fastest 1,500 in program history while nearly hitting the "B" Standard in the USF Fighting Chance Invite, hosted by University of St. Francis (Ill.) from Friday to Saturday at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
Starr ensured The Woods had a national qualifier on the men's side this season, punching his ticket to nationals with a personal best 30-minute, 51.17-second 10k (Prev. PR: 31:23.85) to place seventh out of 15 competitors.
Wright edged out the Owls' 10-year-old 200 dash record, Rhett Cook's 21.94, reaching the finish line in 21.91 (PR prev. 22.16) to take 12th out of 52 sprinters. He also stood out in the 400, placing fourth out of 36 at 49.87.
In the 1,500 run, Schwierjohn came close to accomplishing the feats Starr and Wright achieved, posting a 3:53.3 (PR, prev. 3:57.05) time to finish fourth out of 11 in Invitational Section 2. He was 1.3 seconds off the NAIA "B" Standard benchmark and 1.56 seconds away from
Landon Dunlap's school record set last year.
Oshawi Burgher excelled in the 800 run for Woods, registering a second-place showing out of eight competitors in Open Section 4 and taking 24th out of 69 overall at 2:00.13.
Last but not least,
Jacob Polacek, an Owl all four years of his college career, nearly broke a personal best in the high jump at 1.78 meters (5 feet and 10 inches), opened Day 2 with an 11.49 100 dash and was 0.24 seconds away from PR'ing in the 200 with his time of 22.95, in his final meet for William Woods.
"Proud to be a coach," William Woods track and field coach
Anthony Stockton said. "Jacob got us started in the best way possible, may not be the result he wanted, but I know that young man. He is going to bounce back stronger, and he did. Ending his senior career near a personal best! Ian made big strides to be where he is today; I am glad he finally hit the time he has been fighting for. Jenson had a game plan and, no matter the adversity, executed the plan! Made it interesting, but he did it his way. Burgher has spent this entire season being a leader and leaving all out there on the track. Demario wanted good competition and rose to the occasion as he always does. These young men deserve all the credit! I want to thank the coaching staff, both past and present, for these results. Couldn't do it without you guys. Go Owls!"
Starr will represent William Woods at the 73rd Annual NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, competing in the 10,000m run final at 8:10 p.m. CST May 21 at Wildcat Stadium in Marion, Indiana.
