ALLENDALE, Mich. - Five of IUPUI's six entries in the 3,000m event at the GVSU Big Meet on Saturday (Feb. 12) notched new personal bests as the men's track and field team continued an impressive weekend up north.
Eric Petersen led the way with a time of 8:19.61, finishing third overall and taking 18 seconds off his previous best. Behind him,
Nate Kaiser was fourth at 8:20.94, shedding 14 seconds off his prior best.
"We keep telling the team to capitalize on every racing opportunity that is presented this season. Today was just another example of what these athletes can do, given a chance," head coach
Justin Roeder said. "Six athletes doubled back from yesterday to compete in the 3K today and five secured new personal bests despite racing on tired legs. I couldn't have asked for better racing from this group of athletes this weekend.
"Huge shoutout to senior captain
Eric Hoffman for his tremendous pacing, allowing his teammates to get pulled along."
Hoffman did much of the heavy lifting early before being overtaken by Petersen and Kaiser late. He crossed at 8:21.71 to clear two seconds off his previous best in the event and place fifth overall.
Nick Perkins spun a time of 8:31.66 to take 17 seconds off his prior best and finish ninth overall.
Grant Moon posted a time of 8:34.48 to shed six seconds off his previous best and
Alex Ratkovich ran a time of 8:38.47.
Meanwhile at UIndy's Gerry England Invitational on Saturday, three Jaguars notched new PRs with freshman
Matt Herren posting a pair of personal bests.
Keith Bye led IUPUI's two entries in the mile with a time of 4:32.34 and Herren crossed at 4:52.58. In the 800,
Jacob Williams spun a time of 2:02.33 while both Bye (2:04.56) and Herren (2:07.93) clocked personal bests. In the 3,000m event,
Josh Everetts paced IUPUI's two entries with a time of 9:06.80 and
Jack Acton posted a personal best time of 9:22.84.
Saturday's events marked the Jaguars' final tune-up ahead of the Horizon League Indoor Championships, held later this month.
"We look forward to getting back to campus for two weeks of uninterrupted practice heading towards indoor conference," Roeder said.
