Jarrett Mickens (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) posted career-best marks in both the long and triple jumps at the Dave Rankin Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind., both of which were also the second-best marks in Valparaiso men’s track and field history, as he led the Crusader men Saturday.

Mickens, who has excelled in the triple jump all year long, had another stellar showing to improve upon his previous career best in the event, leaping 47’3”, over a foot better than the career best he set last week.  The junior also improved over a foot on his previous career best in the long jump, registering a mark of 23’10 ¾”.  Both efforts were good for runner-up finishes on Saturday, and both are the second-best marks outdoors in Valpo history, trailing only Jeff Thomas’ record distances set way back in 1976.

Elsewhere on the infield, two other Crusaders recorded top-ten finishes in the triple jump.  Steve Schubert (Lisle, Ill./Benet Academy) leapt 44’4 ¾”, good for fourth place, while Chris Hovan (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Christian) finished tenth with a jump of 39’10 ½”.  On the track, Jordan Piaskowy (Crete, Ill./Illiana Christian) went sub-10 minutes in the 3,000m steeplechase, crossing the line fourth with a time of 9:59.53, while Mike Kash (Woodridge, Ill./Lemont Township) completed the 110m hurdles in 17.08 seconds, good for tenth place.

Valparaiso returns to action next Saturday at the Aquinas Open in Grand Rapids, Mich., the Crusaders’ final tuneup for the Horizon League Outdoor Championships.