Oberlin’s indoor track and field squads traveled up to Kent State on Dec. 9 to compete in the Golden Flash Gala. The two-day affair featured intense competition around the 290-meter indoor track in KSU’s field house. Both the Yeomen and Yeowomen faced D-I, D-II and D-III schools such as Toledo University, Allegheny College and Ashland University.

The first day of the meet was met with the Yeomen’s vigilance, as three men raced to career-best times. Juniors Travis Grout and John Shaw finished the five-kilometer event in 15:36.60 and 16:04, respectively. First-year Corey Squire completed the race in 16:06.40.

On the second day of the meet, senior Adam Morse added to the Yeomen’s stellar performance as he sprinted to an 11th place finish in the three-kilometer event with a time of 9:37.41. He smashed his career record by 26 seconds.

The Yeowomen performed remarkably well during the first day of the meet. Sophomore Alison Doniger placed sixth in the five-kilometer race with a time of 18:43.98. Oberlin’s assistant track and field coach, Leah Shouey, raced unattached in the event to add to the day’s excitement.

On the second day of the meet the newcomers to the Yeowomen squad strutted their stuff. First-years Maddy Davis-Hayes and Flannery Cerbin placed first and second in the 800-meter event, finishing within a twentieth of a second of one another. Their times of 2:23.44 and 2:23.64 qualified them for the NCAC indoor conference meet in March.

Sophomore Marie Barnett had an outstanding performance in the mile as well. She finished fifth with a time of 5:30.50, which also qualifies her for the NCAC indoor conference meet.

“There were a lot more participants competing at the Kent State Meet this year than last year, and we had some wonderful season opening times and height,” remarked Cerbin. “I think the meet showed that Oberlin track and field is off to a good start.”