The Collegian

Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson

Off to a quick start for their first outdoor meet, the Charger track and field team returned home Saturday with a new school record and provisional qualification for Nationals in May.

The team competed at the Mike Poehlein Invitational at Purdue University last weekend. Junior Sarah Kauk set a new school record in pole vaulting sailing over the bar at 12 feet 1.5 inches. Sophomore Aaron Falk provisionally qualified for the California Nationals in the hammer throw.

"It went pretty well," assistant coach Andy Towne said. "We had a nice day, weather-wise. It's far enough south that there's usually pretty good weather. We went down there last year and I think we'll continue to."

Falk's performance in the hammer throw took second place, in addition to provisionally qualifying, with a throw of 175 feet 9 inches.

"He's a guy I think will end up going to nationals," Towne said.

Sophomore Joel Vanderworp took third place in the 1500-meter race with a final time of 3:59.25.

"I think I ran half a second off my [personal record] from last year," Vanderworp said.

With the first weekend of competition complete, Vanderworp looks ahead to conferences.

"I'd like to run the 1500-m at conferences, and I'd like to get provisionally qualified in the 1500," he said. "Hopefully this season [as a team] we can close the gap between us and Grand Valley and Ashland in the middle distance events. The last few weeks have been the best quality training we've done in a while."

Kauk's school record-breaking pole vault was a highpoint for the women's team.

"Sarah Kauk did really well," said Towne. "She had been tied for the record, now she has the record for her own."

With the transition to outdoor season now complete, some team members think wistfully of their accomplishments during the indoor season, while others feel at their best in outdoor events.

Falk said he prefers the outdoor season.

"The only problem with outdoor events is that you're so tired and beat up from indoor season," he said. "Hammer is easier on your body, and you can throw it really far. With the weight throw, you're throwing it 60 feet, and with the hammer, you throw it 180 feet."

His teammate Jared Krout on the other hand pines for the indoor days.

"I prefer indoor season," Krout said. "You don't have to worry about the weather, and I've been more successful indoors."

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