Women shine at Gladstein Invitational

While the Hoosier men’s distance squad is on the receiving end of national attention and publicity, it was the women’s distance runners who performed well this past weekend during the Gladstein Invitational at Gladstein Fieldhouse.

Junior Kelsey Duerksen placed second in the 3,000 meters and anchored the victorious 4x800 relay.

“We just wanted to run fast as we could, and that’s what we always do,” Duerksen said. “We just took it out from the beginning and held on.”

Although her team took a victory in the 4x800, it was her second-place finish in the 3,000 meters that bothered her following the conclusion of the meet Saturday afternoon, she said.

“I wish I could have edged Lydia Kosgei out for first place,” Duerksen said. “But you can’t win them all.”

Despite not earning the victory in the 3,000, Duerksen was quick to point out the way in which she and her teammate, senior Breanne Ehrman, have been pushing each other to improve all season.

Ehrman placed fifth in the 3,000 meters but clocked a split of 2:11.3 for the winning 4x800 relay squad.

On the men’s side, junior Andy Bayer, a distance runner, entered Saturday with aspirations of breaking the collegiate record in the 3,000 meters, but he said poor pacing prevented him from accomplishing the feat.

“It was a little disappointing because we wanted to come out a little faster, but our pace was a little slow,” Bayer said. “It was kind of a bummer, but I had a good last half of the race. It was, overall, kind of disappointing, but it was a good effort.”

Even though Bayer didn’t break the record in the 3,000, IU Coach Ron Helmer said he believes expectations might have been out of order.

“I think the expectations that we put in place were inappropriate, and the race just wasn’t set up properly,” Helmer said.

He and Bayer won’t be worrying about the issue much longer, as Bayer will have another crack at the record once again in February.

“I definitely would like to go for it again because I felt good last night,” Bayer said. “It gives me confidence and a little more desire to go after it.”

Also aiding the Hoosiers’ success this past weekend was the victory for the men’s 4x400 relay squad, which consists of sophomore Tyler Sult, junior Chris Vaughn and seniors Kind Butler and Ryan Hindes.

The group finished in a time of 3:14.65, the third-fastest time in the Big Ten this season.

Senior Olu Olamigoke earned victories in both the triple jump and long jump this past weekend, with his finish in the triple jump earning him top honors for the event in the NCAA.

The Hoosiers’ track and field squads will return to Gladstein Fieldhouse this coming weekend for the Indiana Relays.