By: Adam Tortelli ~Staff Writer~

Xavier Track and Field returns to Cincinnati this week, coming off a jam-packed weekend of competition. Starting their weekend early, the team headed to Muncie, Ind. to compete in the Cardinal Invitational at Ball State. There they posted a slew of top-five finishes against major competition such as Kent State, St. Joseph’s, Ohio University, Wright State and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Top runners for the women’s team included sophomore Haley Jerabek, taking third in the 800m, and Sydney Larkin, claiming fifth in the 400m. Furthermore, junior Mercedes Oliver set a new school record in the hammer throw at 53.18 m, good enough to earn her fourth place in that event.

Men’s field events also brought home another school record when sophomore Brett Neugebauer claimed second place in the javelin, throwing 52.33 m. Neugebauer then continued his success of the day with a fifth place finish in the pole vault. The men’s team also saw great success from sophomore Russell Platt who took second in the 100m, fifth in the 200m and tied senior teammate John Kolibab in the high jump. Lastly, senior Aaron Moore placed third in the 5000m with a time of 16:07.

While their teammates remained in the Midwest, another fraction of Xavier Track and Field headed out west on April 17 to be a part of the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif. Stealing the show for the Musketeers was junior Connor Buchholz who set another school record in the men’s 1500m by posting a time of 3:53.84. Conversely, injuries brought an early end to the days of freshman Nolan Daniels, senior Audrey Ramos and freshman Gina Genco. Junior Sarah Mazzei ran through the pain of her ongoing hip injury to set a new personal record in the 5000m.

While in California, the team also traveled to Norwalk to participate in the Beach Invitational on April 18. Coaches hope that multiple competitions in such a short time frame simulate what runners can expect at the Big East Championship meet that is quickly approaching. Motivated to suceed, Daniels took the second day as an opportunity to make the trip a positive one by embarking on a solid performance in the 400m In addition, redshirt freshman Meghan Vogel continued off her solid performance in April 18’s 1500-meter to show another strong outing in Saturday’s 800m.

The team’s next event will take place in Philadelphia, Penn. for the Penn Relays at the end of this week.