It was a busy weekend for the track and field team as Oberlin hosted the second of three home athletic meets scheduled for this semester. The February 8 event was well attended with athletes representing Ashland University, Hiram College, Lake Erie College, Tiffin University and the College of Wooster.

Two days before the meet, the women’s team received national accolades for its consistent performance over the course of the season. Oberlin women’s track and field was ranked 17th in the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association Power Rankings.

Allegheny College and Ohio Wesleyan University were the only two North Coast Athletic Conference teams ahead of Oberlin in the polls, coming in eighth and 11th place, respectively.

With the poll results in mind, Oberlin once again led the field on the women’s side with victories in the long jump, triple jump, high jump, the 800-meter run, the 3000 and the 4-by-200. The long jump and the 800 were dominated by Oberlin, with the Yeowomen sweeping the top three spots in both events.

In the pole vault, senior Deysi Villarreal set a new school record, clearing 9 feet 6 inches to claim a fourth place finish. The jump beat the previous record of 9 1/4 set by Kirsten Hansen-Day in 2006.

The men’s team also saw strong performances in the long jump, the 4-x-200 and the 400. Sophomore Seth Wimberly completed the 400 race in 52.68 seconds for a second-place finish. Senior Cody Hartley and first-year Peter Morris finished in third and fourth place with times of 53.01 and 54.23.

In the long jump, senior Anthony Osei finished on top for Oberlin with a jump of 20 9 1/2. The Oberlin 4-x-200 ‘A’ team, consisting of Morris, junior Kyle Taljan, Wimberly and Hartley, also saw gold, breaking the tape in 1:35.40.

The performance on the men’s side highlights the contribution from athletes who joined the ranks this semester after contributing to other sports including football and soccer in the fall. Sophomore runner Will Stamell, who joined the team this semester after playing soccer in the fall, noted the warm welcome he and the other newcomers received. “The coaches and athletes have been very supportive. They welcomed us well from the start and have continued to push us to do our best,” he said.

Stamell highlighted his satisfaction with the dynamics of the group, praising the “fantastic team chemistry” that Yeomen track and field has displayed.  

Oberlin hosts its third and final meet of the season today, at the Heisman Field House indoor track. The team then travels to Otterbein College in Westerville, OH tomorrow to participate in the All-Ohio Championships.