After inclement weather canceled Thursday’s events, Indiana men’s track and field got off to a strong start on Friday at the Pepsi Florida Relays in Gainesville, Florida.
The hammer throw event kicked off the meet, and Indiana freshman Sean Mockler took fifth overall with a mark of 67.47 meters. His throw became the second farthest in school history.
Mockler said he was pleased with his performance but said he has some bigger personal goals in mind.
“I just want to keep improving, and hopefully break 70 meters and make nationals,” Mockler said. “I also want to try to defend my national title back home in Thurles, Ireland.”
On the track, the 200-meter dash featured a personal best from graduate student Kenny Benton, whose 20.97 second time garnered a 19th-place finish. In the same event, junior Antonio Laidler placed second in his heat and 30th overall with a time of 21.20 seconds.
Related: [Despite weather delay, Indiana women’s track and field performs well at Florida Relays]
The Hoosiers rounded out the night with their most successful event of the meet: the 3000-meter steeplechase. Senior Jake Gebhardt and redshirt sophomore Austin Haskett took second and third place in the event, finishing with times of 8:56.43 and 8:58.37, respectively. Haskett’s time was a personal best.
Success in the field events continued for Indiana on Saturday, primarily through the pole vault. Junior Nathan Stone won the event by clearing a mark of 5.36 meters, and graduate student Adam Coulon took third with a height of 5.21 meters.
Head coach Ron Helmer said the weather delays are not an excuse for a change in performance.
“If you get yourself ready — if that’s what’s important to you — then you can show up and do some really good things in spite of the delays,” Helmer said.
Next week, the Hoosiers will head to Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Tennessee Relays from April 7-9.
