Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Akron Invitational
Musketeers Conclude Akron Invitational
02.07.15 | Track and Field
Results | Results 
AKRON, Ohio - The Xavier track and field teams recently participated in the Akron Invitational on Feb. 6-7, highlight by four school records being set over the weekend.
"The University of Akron put on a great meet and their program is top notch," said Xavier head coach Ryan Orner. "As a team we set four new school records and tied a fifth.
"Overall, I thought this meet went well, but we have a number of talented athletes on the team that need to perform better come time for the BIG EAST Championship. At this point we've had three or four athletes breaking school records in every meet, but the middle and bottom half of our team needs to continue to improve so we have the depth to improve our finish at BIG EAST from last year."
On the women's side, freshman Karmen Auble set a new school record in the pole vault (12-00.50) to place tied for second in the event. The height now ranks as the sixth-best in the BIG EAST this season.
Freshman Madeline Britton placed fourth in the 5000-meter run with an indoor personal best time of 18:10, the 11th fastest time in the conference on the year. Sophomore Delainey Burnett placed 13th in the event in a time of 18:51.91.
"I was pleased with Maddie's race and place overall, but I know she can improve by 10-15 seconds just by working on her race tactics," said Orner.
Sophomore Sydney Larkin placed seventh in the 400-meter dash in lifetime best mark of 58.76 to rank 15th in the BIG EAST.
"Sydney has worked really hard over the past year to move up in distance from a sprinter in high school to a mid-distance runner in college. Things are starting to click for her and I'm excited to see how she'll be able to contribute to the team during the rest of the season," added Orner.
Junior Mercedes Oliver broke her own school record in the weight throw, winning the blue division (17.46m). The distance ranks as the fourth best mark in the conference this season.
Freshman Margaret Barrie ran in the gold section of the 60-meter dash, the fastest heat of the meet, and posted an eighth-place finish in a time of 7.64 - breaking her own school record in the event. The time ranks as the third fastest in the BIG EAST this year. Barrie also finished sixth overall in the 200-meter dash in a school record time of 24.71, the second fastest time in the conference on the year.
"Maggie (Barrie) had another phenomenal meet," said Orner. "She's probably the most electric competitor to watch on our team right now and she just keeps getting better."
On the men's side, Zachary Polk won the blue division of the long jump (6.82m), while Russell Platt took second in the blue division high jump (2.0m) - tying the school record in the event.
Freshman Garrett Knapik was fifth overall in the 5000-meter run and fourth collegiate (the winner was unattached) runner to cross the finish line. His time of 15:37 in the event was a lifetime best.
Senior Matt Orlando won the blue division of the 800-meter run in a time of 1:57.60, a new personal best indoor time. After combining the blue and gold sections, his time was sixth overall.
Junior Connor Buchholz finished third in the 3000-meter run in a new personal best time of 8:32.83.
Xavier returns to action at the SPIRE DI Invitational on Feb. 13-14 in Geneva, Ohio.
