Kent State Tune-Up

Followers of track and field know that in this sport, it's not always the place that matters most, it is the time.  Especially when there is such intermingling between divisions.  Track and field is such a fortunate sport where division III is able to compete against division I and division II schools because it is such an individual sport, where the harder you work, the faster, or stronger, you will become regardless of division. 
This weekend, the Allegheny Gator men took advantage of superb competition and an oversized track and raced to their potential.  Highlighting the meet was Andrew Mahone (class of 2011) in his 1:55.23 800 meter race which broke the indoor school record of 1:56.13 set in 2007. 
Tony Dipre started strong in the 3000 meter run and finished a mere 4 seconds off the school record in 8:25.70, which placed him 3rd overall.  Ryan Hanson followed shortly after in 8:45.19.
Benjamin Eyer led a strong troop of milers in 4:20.21, a new PR and 8th place, and finished a great double with an 800 time of 1:57.5, also a new PR.  Zac Ross and Mike Vlah, each also running the mile/800 double, finishing in (4:21.70 / 2:01.59) and (4:24.96 / 2:02.9), respectively.
Christopher Marker, an outdoor all-american in the 5000 meter race, ran his first race of the indoor season after overcoming a knee injury in 15:21.04 for the 5000 meter, which placed him 9th overall.  Ryan Sullivan and Pat McLaughlin also ran the 5000 meter and both of them set PRs in 15:29.88 and 15:32.72, respectively.
Also, Taylor "the rocket" Throckmorton sharpened his legs for the upcoming NCAC meet and ran a 50.20 400 meter race.
The Lady Gators also ran well, setting themselves up well going into the week before the NCAC meet.  Mia Symoniak and Kelly Gallagher each ran the 3000 meter race.  Symoniak finished strong in 10:22.01 in 5th place, while Gallagher, continuing her strong freshman year, finished in a PR of 10:51.59 in 19th place.  Samantha Zink raced her way to an 11th place finish in 3:04.85 in the 1000 meter race and doubled strong with the 800 meter race in 14th place with a time of 2:22.15. 
On the field, Lauren Butler launched the shot put 39 feet, 5 3/4 inches, placing her 11th place. While Holly Wilson steadily improving throughout her freshman year, took 15th place overall in the triple jump with a distance of 33-3 1/4.
The majority of the Gators are looking forward to a down weekend to rest up before the conference meet at Denison University on 3/5-3/6, while the men's DMR is looking to improve on their time and secure a spot on the national qualifing list at Anderson University this upcoming weekend.