Saturday, January 24, 2004

Valparaiso's men finished in second place at the Chicago Invitational on Saturday afternoon hosted by the University of Chicago.

The Crusaders finished the day with 107 points, just 29 behind Augustana, the meet champion.

Elliot Powell (Orange, Calif./Santa Ana H.S.) had a big day for the Brown and Gold in the sprints, winning the 200m dash with a time of 22.89 seconds. He bettered the competition by .27 seconds in the field of 45 runners. Powell also finished in second place in the 55m dash with a time of 6.65 seconds, just .02 seconds behind the champion.

Raphael Awoseyin (Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria/Greater Tomorrow S.S.) finished in fourth place in the 55m, just .03 behind Powell, while Matthew Wheeler (Dixon, Ill./Dixon H.S.) was fifth in the 200m. Wheeler also finished in second place in the 400m dash (50.71 seconds), while Jeff Moscinski (Rockford, Ill./Christian Life H.S.) was just two places behind with a time of 51.71 seconds.

Sean Barfield (University Place, Wash./Curtis H.S.) turned in a third place effort for the Crusaders in the 55m hurdles, crossing the finish line in a time of 7.98 seconds.

Valpo's 4x400m relay also helped out the Crusaders cause, finishing in second place. The team of Moscinski, Barfield, Adam Wierciak (Ottawa, Ill./Marquette H.S.), and Wheeler finished in a time of 3:28.81, trailing just Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

On the infield, Jon Braun (Saratoga, Wyo./Saratoga H.S.) cleared 11'9" in the pole vault to earn a third place finish in the event. Todd Goodrick (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester H.S.) finished in fourth place in the shot put with a toss of 46'10 ¾".

Valpo will return to the oval on February 6, as the Brown and Gold travels to the Meyo Invitational hosted by Notre Dame.