Senior
Brian Sponaugle (Milton, De. / Cape Henlopen) had another top-3 finish in the javelin, while senior
Micah Mullings (Minesing, Ontario, Canada / Barrie North) had a solid showing in the jumps. On the women's side, the 1,500 provided a highlight along with an event win from junior
Vivian Rahmel (Springfield, Ill. / Sacred Heart-Griffin) as the Valparaiso University track & field teams competed in Louisville's Jim Freeman/Clark Wood Invitational this weekend.
How It Happened
- Valpo boasted four runners who finished in the top half of a 64-runner field in the women's 1,500, led by senior Chante Dixon (Benoni, South Africa / Kempton Park [UTSA]), who placed fourth in the large field with a time of 4:35.13. She improved upon her personal record that already ranked fourth in program history.
- Dixon was followed by junior Laetitia Raoult (Guingamp, France / [Florida International]) with a season-best 4:44.56, sophomore Kensington Black (Franklin, Ohio / Franklin Senior) with a PR of 4:46.81 and senior Alina Worzella (Martinsville, Ind. / Martinsville) with a time of 4:47.07 to round out the quartet in the top 30.
- On the men's side of the 1500, freshman Braden Hoff (New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln-Way Central) PR'd in 3:56.15.
- Mullings tied his career best in the long jump, equaling his 2023 mark of 7.23m (23-8.75) that ranked fourth in program history. He finished in the top half of the field in the triple jump with a mark of 14.06 (46-1.5) to place seventh.
- In a 13-competitor field, Sponaugle was third in the javelin at 59.18m (194-2).
- Rahmel notched an event victory in the 10,000, winning the race with a time of 39:15.98.
- Sophomore Ferdinand Rosa (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico / American Military Academy) performed well in the mid-distance races. On Friday, he finished 15th of 71 in the 800 with a time of 1:53.83. On Saturday, he had a season-best time and an outdoor PR in the 400 at 49.16, finishing in the top half of a 60-runner field.
Up Next
The Beacons will compete in the final meet prior to the outdoor championships when they head to Champaign, Ill. for the Gary Wieneke Memorial on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2. A link to live results will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
