Junior AJ Walsh (Lombard, Ill. / IC Catholic Prep) enjoyed a stellar weekend as one of the multi-event athletes representing the Valparaiso University track & field team at Indiana State's John Gartland Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. Walsh was first among attached competitors and second overall as he racked up 4,964 points in a strong heptathlon showing.
 
How It Happened

• Walsh outdid his own program record from last season, as his previous top score in the heptathlon was 4,748. He finished first of 12 attached competitors and second of 13 overall to only unattached Isaiah Clausen.
• He PR'd in four of the seventh heptathlon events – the 60 hurdles (8.88), the high jump (1.95m / 6-4.75), the shot put (13.17m / 43-2.5) and the 60 (7.18).
• Walsh finished first of 13 in the shot put among the heptathlon competitors and also had the top mark in the high jump.
• In the women's pentathlon, senior Rhena Kiger (Crown Point, Ind. / Crown Point) accrued 2,669 points to finish seventh. She outdid her previous PR from 2023 and still ranks second in program history. Her top performance in a specific event was third of nine with a 2:32.17 in the 800.
• Sophomore Michael Tarasiewicz (Tinley Park, Ill. / Andrew) also went to Terre Haute this weekend and competed in the shot put. He placed 11^th at 13.94m (45-9).

Up Next
The Beacons will participate in the Notre Dame Invite on Saturday, Jan. 24 as the second semester of competition gets underway.