The Valparaiso track and field teams returned to competition Friday after a month-long break, traveling to Romeoville, Ill. for the Lewis Open to open the new year. Five Crusaders claimed top honors and no there were no team scores.

On the women’s team, freshman Hannah Reynard (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) had a photo finish in the women’s 200 meter dash, claiming first in 27.10, just .01 ahead of runner-up Lauren Jonen.

Senior Jazmin Taylor (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) out jumped the competition by .10m for her second title of the season in the high jump, clearing 1.65m/5-5.

Junior Megan Howdeshell (Bourbon, Ind./Triton Junior-Senior) also brought home the hardware with her 11.65m/38-2.75 toss in the shot put to earn the top spot. She also finished in third in the weight throw with a heave of 15.10m/49-6.

Junior Cleo Holt (Marietta, Ga./George Walton Comprehensive) had a pair of top-six finishes, finishing sixth in the 55m (7.64) and fourth in the 200m (27.34).

One the men’s side, freshman Ben Zibricky (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) earned his first collegiate title with a 2:03.38 in the 800m, beating out the second place finisher Marek Kowal by over four seconds.

Classmate Nicholas Stack (Hobart, Ind./Hobart) also took him his first title as a collegian, clearing 4.55m/14-11 in the pole vault. Junior teammate Justin Zosso (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) finished in second with a height of 4.40m/14-5.25.

In the sprints, sophomore speedster Anthony Franze (Gunter, Texas/Gunter) finished the first meet of 2015 with two top-five finishes. He ran a 6.69 in the 55m to finish in fifth and a 23.82 in the 200m to claim fourth.

Valparaiso returns to action next weekend, Jan. 16, when they travel to Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. for the Mike Lints Alumni Open.