Brammer's 'B' Standard in 3,000 meter racewalk; three PBs, three school records highlight efforts for SSU indoor track at Indiana Tech
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The men's and women's track and field programs at Shawnee State enjoyed fruitful outings at the Indiana Tech Warrior Open Friday evening, as Natalie Brammer posted a NAIA National 'B' Standard time in the 3,000 meter racewalk for the second consecutive season while six additional SSU men's and women's track and field talents combined for three personal bests and three school records in a strong day for the program as a whole, with SSU's short distance runners, jumpers, and throwers all competing at the Warrior Open.
Brammer, who ran an 18:08.21 to post a NAIA 'B' Standard time in the event, led a strong outing as the Wheelersburg product translated her hard work into the second NAIA National Standard time of the day for the Shawnee State women's track and field program.
"I am very happy to see Natalie hit the NAIA 'B' Standard once again," Shawnee State Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Conner Flynn said. "Natalie works very hard to improve and is a great teammate as well. She is way ahead of last year, and Shawnee State assistant cross country/track and field coach Dean Freitag does a great job working with her on the racewalk."
Following Brammer, three individuals set new school records in field events -- with Eli Adkins, Jaina Bailey and Luke Rader all posting impressive performances.
Adkins, who cleared six feet, three-and-a-quarter inches in the high jump, and Rader, who nabbed a 21-foot, 11-and-a-half inch long jump, finished fifth and eighth respectively in their events en route to setting new standards for the Shawnee State track and field program.
"Eli and Luke are great additions to our program," Flynn said. "Both are explosive and exceptional athletes. I know there are many more records and accomplishments in their futures."
As for Bailey, the Rock Hill High School graduate, who transferred to Shawnee State from Kentucky Christian, led an impressive throwing effort by the Bears with a 45-foot, eight-inch weight throw to claim third place in that event. Faith Kuhn's 34-foot, four-and-a-quarter inch shot put was a personal best, as was Alan Austin's 47-foot, 11-and-a-quarter-inch shot put and Connor Ignacio's 39-foot, 10-inch weight throw. Ignacio, like Bailey, is also a transfer from Kentucky Christian.
"Jaina and Connor have been great additions," Flynn said. "Both of them have transferred in and look to be ready to make an immediate impact. Faith had a good day. She is so young in the throwing game, and is capable of great improvement. It's exciting to watch. As for Alan, I am proud of him and his focus this fall. He's always been great at discus, but now, he's embracing other throws and becoming a versatile force."
Other efforts by the Shawnee State men's and women's track and field programs were as follows:
- 60 meter hurdles -- Luke Rader, seventh; Matthew Rauch, 10th
- 60 meter run -- Luke Rader, 31st; Cody Hesler, 33rd; Desean Garred, 37th
- 200 meter run -- Desean Garred, 23rd
- 600 meter run -- Cody Hesler, 14th
- Shot put (men) -- Connor Ignacio, 12th
- Shot put (women) -- Jaina Bailey, 14th
- Weight throw (women) -- Faith Kuhn, 13th
- Weight throw (men) -- Alan Austin, 15th
