BEREA, Ohio – Select members of the Baldwin Wallace University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams competed at the Gregory Invitational hosted by North Central (Ill.) College and Great Lakes Elite Meet hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University. Both meets are considered last chance meets for the BW individuals to improve upon or hit the qualifying marks for the NCAA Division III National Championships.
The Yellow Jacket sent five women and two men competitors to Naperville, Illinois to compete at the Gregory Invitational inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. BW also sent four men and women competitors to Delaware, Ohio to compete at the Great Lakes Elite Meet on the George Gauthier Track.
The BW men were led by senior outdoor All-American and two-time Academic All-American sprinter Ben Beidleman (Washington, D.C./St. Anslem's Abbey) as he was first in the 200-metter dash with a career-best time of 21.63 seconds and second in the 100-meter dash with a career-best tying time of 10.79 seconds.
In addition, senior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference sprinter Michael Beidleman (Washington, D.C./Col. Zadok A. McGruder) placed 11th in the 100-meter dash prelims with a time 11.00 seconds.
The BW men were led by senior All-OAC thrower Tyler Burdorff (Painesville/Riverside) and sophomore thrower Cody Smith (Port Clinton). Burdorff was first in the hammer throw with a season-best mark of 192'10.6'', fourth in the shot put with a season-best mark of 53'2.75'' and second in the discuss with a throw of 154'11''. Burdorff will go into Nationals with the sixth best throw in the hammer and 19th best marks in the discus and shot put. Smith was third in the shot put with a career-best throw of 53'5.75''. Smith currently has the 17th longest shot put throw in the country. Smith also was ninth in the hammer with a mark of 154'10.7''.
In addition, sophomore thrower Zak Dysert (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) was 10th in the discus with a mark of 141'11''.
In the running events, Smith also distance runner Holden Daly (Vermilion) was 10th in the 1,500-meter with a time of 4:46.44.
BW is back in action on Thursday, May 26 through Saturday, May 28 when both teams travel to Waverly, Iowa to compete at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships hosted by Wartburg College.
