Capping their banner 2010-2011 Indoor Track Season with identical scores at the NAIA Championships (March 3-5 in Geneva, Ohio), the Men’s and Women’s team each drew upon the strong support of upper classmen Sam Vazquez (senior, Flagler-Palm Coast) and Crystal Bardge (junior, Jacksonville). With 20 points each, the men finished 12th and the women 11th among the field of more than 200 member schools.
Vazquez (2:24.61 in the 1000 meter run) and Badge (8.34 in the 60 meter hurdles)—both school records--returned to campus as National NAIA Champions in their respective events. Crystal’s time in the 60H is a new National Meet record, which she backed up with a school record in her fourth place finish in the 200 (24.45), later in the meet.
Joining the 2011 National Champions as All Americans were team mates Evans Kirwa (second in the 5000, by .01, in 14:23.99), Reta Woodard (third in the Women’s Weight throw with 17.47 meters), Leon Robinson (sixth in the 200 in 21.72), and the Mens 4 X 400 team of Reagan Beal, Kevin Bray, Odwani Thomas, and Sam Vazquez (sixth in 3:16.15). All were new school records.
In addition to the aforementioned performances, additional new school record holders were Nicole Bonk (16:46.44 in the 3000 meter walk), Baleigh Hyatt (1:37.19 in the Women’s 600), Flo Vazquez (18:28.50 in the Women’s 5000), the Women’s 4 X 400 team (Holly Sandon, Kristina Kendrick, Bardge, and Hyatt; 3:59.58), the Women’s 4 X 800 team (Hyatt, Karina Coelho, Erika Lanhuaser, and Ellie Staker; 9:36.28), and the Men’s 4 X 800 team (Austin Moore, Adam Vetere, Mallory Jackson, and Vazquez; 7:40.38).
ERAU is sponsoring their last home winter track meet, March 18-19, on their Daytona campus. For information, contact Coach Mike Rosolin, either by phone (386-323-5008), or michael.rosolino@erau.edu.