HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Davis & Elkins College men's and women's track & field teams delivered a strong showing at the Mountain East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, highlighted by 11 all-conference podium finishes, 30 conference scorers, one NCAA Provisional time, five meet records, and 13 PRs.
Blatt Named MEC Freshman of the Year
Tristan Blatt was named MEC Freshman of the Year after stellar performances in the 800m (1:52.44, 2nd place, meet record) and 1 mile (4:12.02, 2nd place, meet record, personal best). He also contributed to the meet record-setting Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team that placed first with a new NCAA Division II No. 26 time of 9:59.44.
Men's Team Highlights
The Senators dominated the mid-distance and distance events, scoring valuable points:
- 1 Mile: Blatt (2nd, 4:12.02, MR, PR), Slate Swiger (3rd, 4:12.29, MR), Cooper Gibson (4th, 4:14.40), Jackson Gibson (5th, 4:14.59), Carter McKenna (7th, 4:15.89).
- 800m: Blatt (2nd, MR), Ryan Rasco (4th, 1:55.36), Jackson Gibson (5th, 1:55.59), Tommy Bildheiser (7th, 1:55.96, PR).
- 3000m: Jordan Thomas (3rd, 8:31.87), Jan Thewes (5th, 8:33.56).
- 5000m: Jan Thewes (2nd, 14:33.86), Jordan Thomas (4th, 14:48.63), Konnor Allison (6th, 14:56.47, PR).
Relay performances added to the team's success, with the 4x400m relay team of Blatt, Ian Wood, Bildheiser, and Rasco finishing sixth (3:27.12, season-best) and the DMR team earning first place (9:59.44, MR, NCAA DII #26).
"On the men's team side we knew only competing in 7 of the 17 events we needed a perfect meet to do something we had talked about in the lead up of battling for a team runner up finish," said Head Coach, Jason Pyles. "So proud of the group for battling for each other and having a program-best track team finish!"
Women's Team Highlights
The women's team saw standout performances across multiple events:
- 1 Mile: Lauren Twyman (2nd, 5:11.11), Ella Hesson (3rd, 5:14.14), Sierra Taylor (7th, 5:19.66, PR).
- 800m: Twyman (7th, 2:20.52).
- 3000m: Savanna Hardman (2nd, 10:04.67), Lydia Falkenstein (4th, 10:14.15), Zoe Belshan (5th, 10:24.90, PR), Rebecca Tellez (6th, 10:33.33, PR).
- 5000m: Falkenstein (3rd, 17:28.82, PR, NCAA DII #73), Hardman (4th, 17:33.34, PR, NCAA DII #81).
The women's DMR team of Cameryn Wheeler, Taytum Walls, Hesson, and Twyman secured a meet record, first-place finish (12:08.11, NCAA DII #33).
Pyles said, "The women's performances and team battle was also so close being just 4 points from 4th in the ten-team championship field. A very special meet and finish that follows up both groups fall conference and regional titles on the cross country side and keeps this historic season going strong!"
Multi-Event Efforts
Ian Wood competed in the heptathlon, placing second in high jump (1.79m, PR) and third in the 60m hurdles (8.90) before an unfortunate DNS in the 1000m and pole vault ended his competition early.
Men's Team Scores
With their highest-ever finish (men's 2nd place) and dominant distance performances, Davis & Elkins made a powerful statement at the MEC Championships, setting multiple meet records and NCAA-ranked performances. The Senators proved they are a force in the conference, with all of their points coming exclusively from distance events.
|
1
|
University of Charleston
|
166
|
|
2
|
Davis & Elkins College
|
82
|
|
3
|
West Liberty
|
75
|
|
4
|
Point Park
|
70
|
|
5
|
WV Wesleyan
|
68
|
|
6
|
WV State
|
65.5
|
|
7
|
Frostburg State
|
54.5
|
|
8
|
Glenville State
|
44
|
|
9
|
Concord
|
31
|
|
10
|
Wheeling
|
6
|
Women's Team Scores
|
1
|
University of Charleston
|
166
|
|
2
|
Point Park
|
82
|
|
3
|
WV Wesleyan
|
75
|
|
4
|
WV State
|
70
|
|
5
|
West Liberty
|
68
|
|
6
|
Davis & Elkins College
|
64
|
|
7
|
Glenville State
|
54.5
|
|
8
|
Frostburg State
|
44
|
|
9
|
Wheeling
|
31
|
|
10
|
Concord
|
6
|
