Bellarmine Track and Field Dominates GVSU Big Meets, Setting New Indoor Record

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Junior Chase Atkins shattered the Bella Knites’ men’s indoor record in the 5000-meter run at the GVSU Big Meets this past weekend. Atkins’ impressive time of 14:09.92 not only clinched first place in the Section #1 5000 but also打破了 the previous program best of 14:14.68, set by Paul Stamm at the 2023 GVSU Big Meet.

Friday’s dominate performances

Atkins’ achievement was just one of many standout performances on Friday. Junior Jackson Gordon showcased his speed, finishing fourth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.98 seconds. Meanwhile, junior Alex Hooten took eighth place in the mile invite, clocking in at 4:08.56.

On the women’s side, Jansen Story emerged as a force, securing fourth place in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:36.88. Sophomore Amelia Svidal further contributed to Bellarmine’s success with a sixth-place finish in the triple jump, leaping a distance of 11.48 meters.

Saturday’s Competitive Showdown

The competition intensified on Saturday, with a high number of competitors in most events. Freshman Will Bracher demonstrated his strength, placing fourth in the men’s shot put with a throw of 15.78 meters and securing tenth place in the weight throw with a distance of 15.75 meters. Jackson Gordon continued his impressive run, finishing seventh in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:55.02.

Alysia Hurtado added another top finish for the women’s team, taking eighth in the women’s weight throw with a distance of 16.20 meters. In a showcase of versatility, Sophomore Raven Payne finished 13th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.03 seconds, while Annie Somwe achieved similar results, placing 13th in the 400-meter event with a time of 59.63 seconds.

Jansen Story and Amelia Svidal further cemented their contributions to the team, landing top-15 finishes in the 800-meter run and long jump, respectively. Somwe also demonstrated her talent in the long jump, securing a top-20 finish in 19th place with a leap of 4.96 meters.

Men’s Top Performances on Saturday

Bellarmine’s men’s team also recorded several notable finishes on Saturday. Sophomore James Bronzwaig placed 15th in the weight throw with a throw of 14.97 meters, while Zac Hutslar and Tommy Eisenback, both juniors and freshmen respectively, showcased their speed in the 60-meter sprint. Hutslar finished 17th with a time of 7.09 seconds, while Eisenback secured 20th place with a time of 7.13 seconds.

Completing the string of impressing performances, freshman Grant King finished 19th in the 400-meter dash, with a time of 51.32 seconds.

Looking Ahead: The ASUN Indoor Championship

With the indoor regular season now concluded, the Bella Knites will host the ASUN Indoor Championship at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center on February 27-28. The team will look to build on their recent successes and continue their championship aspirations.

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What were your favorite performances from the GVSU Big Meets? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.