The Oberlin men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams spent their Spring Break in Florida training for their first meet of the outdoor season, the Emory Classic. The women’s team finished 10th out of the 19 teams competing, while the men’s team finished 15th of 18 teams. “It was our first meet as an outdoor team and we were all really excited to be there. I think that that excitement showed in our competition, we really came together as a team,” said first-year sprinter Lily Krichels.

Sophomore Ariane Burwell led the Yeowomen by securing a second place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Burwell completed the race in 12:04.54. Other notables were first-year Alison Doniger, who came in fourth in the 5,000-meter, finishing the race with a time of 18:49.91 and sophomore Sarah Newman, who finished sixth in the 10,000-meter with a time of 42:49.12.

In the triple jump first-year Bronwen Davies placed sixth at 32’10 1/2”, while she secured a seventh place finish in the high jump at 4’7 3/4”.

“I think it was a successful meet,” said first-year thrower Kate Cook. “The training in Florida was really good for the team. We had a lot of fun and we became more of a team. I think we’re going to have a great season, I know that we’re going to improve.”

On the men’s end, senior Anthony Hudgins led the team, placing fourth in the shot put at 43’5 1/2”. In the 10,000-meter sophomore John Shaw placed eighth with a time of 34:45.10. Two eighth place finishes rounded out the meet. The first was in the pole vault where junior Shean Perry cleared the bar at 12’5 1/2” and the other was captured by sophomore John Hepp in the shot put at 40’9 3/4”.

The team returned from Georgia and Florida happy with their finishes and ready to improve. Head Coach Jason Hudson, reflecting on the trip to Florida and the Georgia Classic, said, “We made great strides as a team during the trip and I know we are only going to get better. This week was a great jumping off point. I have a lot of confidence in this team and the things they can accomplish.” They will travel to Mount Union this Saturday for their first Ohio meet. The meet will start at 10 in the morning.