Waldorf’s Beaman races to ninth in 400 hurdles at Washington Invitational

By Aaron Schneider

ST. LOUIS – The Waldorf University men’s track and field team set or established eight school records at the two-day Washington University Invitational, which concluded on Saturday.

Korey Beaman turned in one of the highlights for the Warriors, racing to ninth place in a highly competitive 400-meter hurdles field with a time of 59.26 seconds.

“It was a very nice race for Korey,” Waldorf coach Kelsey Riggins said. “He ran a season personal record with 20 mph wind gusts on the back stretch.”

The meet presented challenges for the Warriors on multiple levels. More than 90 teams ranging from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ranks to the NCAA Division I level comprised the meet. Several elite athletes also competed unattached. Waldorf’s athletes also battled the elements of Mother Nature, which included wind gusts that reached 20 miles per hour.

“I wanted our athletes to compete in this meet, so we could have some new competition and get the experience of competing at a meet of this caliber and size during their time as collegiate track athletes,” Riggins said.

Junior Nathan Meiners set the bar in the school record books, becoming the first Waldorf runner to compete in the 10,000 and winning his heat with a time of 33 minutes, 53.79 seconds.

“Nathan ran an extremely smart race,” Riggins said. “The wind was blowing and he battled through all 25 laps of that race. It is not an easy task to stay focused for 25 laps around a track and maintain that race mentality, but Nathan did just that.”

Freshman Demetrius Baker established two school records with a 38.53-meter (126-foot, 5 inch) toss in the hammer throw and an 11.75-meter (38-foot, 6.75-inch) performance in the shot put. Sophomore Raymond Browder earned a personal record in the shot put with a distance of 11.05 meters (36 feet, 3 inches).

“We have seen so much growth in our men’s throwing group and they are improving every meet,” Riggins said.

Junior Aaron Ward chased down a school record in the 5,000 as he closed out the event in 16:29.73.

“I think that Aaron is really starting to find his home on the track,” Riggins said. “He is very versatile and we have put him a variety of events throughout the year. However, I was very impressed with his time and effort on Friday evening.”

Junior Ovan Garcia ran the 5,000 in 17:06.88 and senior Cody Clark crossed the finish line in 17:09.58 as both runners turned in personal-record performances for the Warriors.

“Ovan and Cody ran very tough as well and it was exciting to see them make such a big improvement,” Riggins said.

Freshman Alvyns Alcenord claimed a school record in the 100, clocking a time of 11.16 seconds despite unfavorable weather conditions. Freshmen Isaiah Craig (11.26 seconds), Jonah Remker (11.29 seconds) and sophomore Caleb Gilbertson (11.36 seconds) also competed in the 100.

“The wind was definitely howling and was not the best condition for the majority of the events,” Riggins said. “Each one of them can run faster than the times they ran Saturday and I am looking forward to seeing those improvements.”

Freshman Justin Jacobi set a school record in the 110 hurdles, running the event in 15.78 seconds.

“Justin ran a very nice hurdle race,” Riggins said. “15.78 is a very impressive time for a freshman. We are still learning a lot every time we compete in this race and Justin has done a great job transitioning to the high hurdles.”

Remker, freshman Mark Ahlers, junior Austin Anderson and sophomore Chasen Selsor posted a school-record time of 3:31.76 in the 4×400 relay.

“Each one of them ran a very nice leg and did their job accordingly,” Riggins said. “I was particularly impressed with Jonah [Remker’s] opening leg. He was in an outside lane and really ran without fear to set the race up for us very well.”

Ahlers clocked a school record in the 800 with a time of 2:04.03.

Selsor and Gilbertson each won their heats in the 400, charging to times of 53.54 seconds and 55.39 seconds, respectively.

“Traveling down to this meet definitely paid off for us with some great performances,” Riggins said.

Waldorf competes in next Saturday’s Norse Relays at Decorah, starting at 12 p.m.