In their first season in indoor track and competing in limited events, the Blackburn men’s team still finished tied for sixth in the overall standings at the SLIAC Indoor Championships hosted by Principia College on Saturday, February 25. The men scored in both relay events as well as in the open 400-meter dash.  

The highlight of the day came in the very last race as the men’s 4 x 400 relay team took fourth among seven schools competing in the event, finishing in 3:49.87. The stars of the men’s team, junior Hayden Fox and freshman Tate Kunzeman, were joined by junior Locke Hord and freshman Will Teig who had both just completed basketball season, and turned in a thrilling performance despite limited practice time together. Their fourth-place finish was just one off making it to the medal stand to receive all-conference status.

Fox, Hord, and Teig also competed in the 4,000-meter Distance Medley Relay alongside freshman Landan Tribble and placed sixth in the race. Teig opened with the 1200-meter leg, followed by Hord with the 400-meter leg, followed by Fox with the 800-meter leg, followed by Tribble with a PR in the 1600-meter finale.

Three members of the men’s team also competed in individual events. Kunzeman took sixth in the 400-meters with a PR this season of 54.57 and was the top freshman finisher. Sophomore Marco Nova set a personal PR in the 800-meters, and freshman Luke Bell ran another strong mile.

The men’s team finished tied with Westminster for sixth place on the day, finishing ahead of Eureka College.

Coach Al Sturgeon said, “Today was fun. Tate and Hayden continued to lead the way, but Locke added a couple of outstanding 57-second quarters in the relays, and Will is going to add important depth to our team as well. Landan and Marco ran PRs, and Luke continues to run strong for us. I am very proud of our introduction to indoor track this season and am looking forward to outdoor season that is just around the corner!”

The men’s team expects to add another strong athlete or two for outdoor season, and the first meet is scheduled at Washington University in St. Louis on Saturday, April 1.