Berner, Wieferich Set Stadium Records at Wooster Classic

Jill Berner set a school and stadium record in the pole vault, clearing 11 feet, 4.25 inches.

Jill Berner and Katie Wieferich set stadium records in the pole vault and 3000 meters, highlighting 10 victories for The College of Wooster track & field teams at their own non-scoring Wooster Classic Friday afternoon.

Five of the Fighting Scots’ individual wins came from the women, led by Berner, who not only established a new stadium mark, but upped her school record in the pole vault to 11 feet, 4.25 inches. That mark provisionally qualifies her for the NCAA Div. III Championships. Also in the pole vault, Ali Drushal was runner-up for Wooster, clearing 10 feet even.

Wieferich, who owns the third-fastest time in Div. III in the 10,000 meters this season (36:19.58), covered the 3000 in 10:10.62, more than 20 seconds faster than her nearest competitor, and complementing her in the event was teammate Emily Rackley in fifth-place (11:19.18).

Drushal was a winner in the javelin throw (34.15 meters) while competing in both hurdle races as well, finishing fifth in the 100 (16.63) and fourth in the 400 (1:10.83). She was also a key part of the 4x100 relay, along with Berner, Kate Legg, and Kelly Patton, which placed third (51.48).

Another busy competitor for the Scots was Kayla Miller, who won the triple jump (34 feet, 7.5 inches), took fourth in the long jump (14 feet, 9.5 inches), and was part of a five-way tie for second in the high jump (1.42 meters), along with teammate Natalee Noche.

Katie Dale continued her strong season in the throwing events, winning the shot put (37 feet, 8.75 inches) and finishing runner-up in the discus (114 feet, 8 inches).

Additional top-fives for the Wooster women came from Nicole Calderone and Ashley Zervos, who crossed fourth (5:14.88) and fifth (5:16.01), respectively, in the 1500 meters; Victoria Peterman and Jocelyn Barker, who were 4-5 in the discus with respective throws of 98 feet, 9 inches and 95 feet; and Hannah Bierlein, who posted a fifth-place showing in the 400 meters (1:04.22).

The Scot men produced five first-place efforts, led by double-winner Tristan Jordan in the long jump (20 feet, 2.5 inches) and the triple jump (41 feet, 6.5 inches). Others finishing atop their respective event were Rick Drushal in the discus (141 feet, 11 inches), Dierre Taylor in the 110 hurdles (15.48), and Dave Thomas in the 800 meters (2:00.01).

Providing depth in the throws to Drushal, who also was second in the shot put (44 feet, 8.5 inches), were Marco Garcia and Steve Zumbrun. Garcia was second to Drushal in the discus (133 feet, 2 inches) and took fourth in the shot put (40 feet, 7.75 inches), while Zumbrun was third in the shot put (41 feet, 7 inches), third in the javelin (44.49 meters), and fourth in the discus (129 feet, 10 inches).

Wooster took the top-three positions in the 110 hurdles, with Matt Jensen (15.86) and Rob Kelm (16.58) coming in right behind Taylor. Jensen was also fourth in the 400 hurdles (59.80).

Averell Gatton was top-five in four events, taking second in both the high jump (5 feet, 10 inches) and triple jump (38 feet, 6 inches) and fifth in both the 100 meters (11.94) and 200 (24.25).

Also in the sprints, Taku Otahara tied for second in the 100 (11.65) and Seth Stuck was runner-up in the 400 (51.53). Otahara backed up Jordan in the long jump with a fifth-place showing (18 feet, 2 inches).

Other notables included Tim Presto and Colin Turner running fourth and fifth in the 1500 meters with times of 4:10.98 and 4:11.37, respectively; Rudy Gilman coming in fifth-place in the 3000 (9:31.98); Ross Stevenson tying for third in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches); and Justin Chapman grabbing fifth in the javelin (37.48 meters).