ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Eight Knox College track and field athletes traveled to Augustana College's Austin E. Knowlton Outdoor Athletic Complex, all of whom saw action today with one stepping on the podium.
Junior Lance Miller provided the best finish of any Prairie Fire athlete, claiming second in the men's 5000 meters with a time of 14:49.75, about eight seconds off the pace. Miller was in fifth place at the midpoint of the race, but his kick over the final half pushed him ahead of everyone by 3.5 seconds save the victor, Adam Patel.
The meet began with the running of the prelims for the men's 110 meter hurdles, which featured Prairie Fire senior Jacob Anderson. All he did was record a personal-best time of 15.51 seconds, which was 20th among the 34 entrants. But his time was also the fastest by a Knox runner in 25 years and gave him the fourth-best performance in program history. Anderson also competed in the 400 meter hurdles, placing 26th in 58.28 seconds.
First-year Jayvon Bolds was up next in the men's 100 meter prelims, in which he placed 38th in 11.26 seconds, short of his season-best time of 10.96 seconds. He later ran in the 200 meters prelims in 22.66 seconds, finishing 50th out of 75 entrants.
In the women's 1500 meters, both sophomore Cecilia Goodin and senior Franny Hilliard took to the track with the former turning in a time just shy of her personal best, 5:05.36, to place 26th. The latter crossed the tape in 30th place with a time of 5:20.03.
Knox had three athletes in the field events, starting with senior A.J. Vazquez in the men's triple jump. His best jump came on his third attempt at 13.13 meters (43 feet, 1 inch), leaving him 15th in the event.
Sophomore Stephanie Nelson was up next in the women's hammer throw. After fouling on her first two attempts, she had to be careful to ensure she recorded a distance, which was 41.88 meters (137 feet 5 inches), leaving her in 15th place.
Finally, sophomore Ethan Strutzel got his opportunity in the men's javelin. Out of his three throws, his first turned out to be his best at 40.66 meters (133 feet 4 inches), good for 17th place.
