UPLAND, Ind. – The Indiana Wesleyan University indoor track and field teams completed competition during the first of two days of the Crossroads League Championships held at Taylor (Ind.).

The Wildcat women competed in eight finals on Friday and earned three NAIA standards and five All-Crossroads League honors for finishing in the top-three of an event. Lorna Bechtel (Pentathlon) and Jessica Sprinkles (600-Meters) won individual Crossroads League titles. The Wildcats are currently in second place and just five points behind Taylor (Ind.) for first place.

On the men’s side there were seven finals contested. Indiana Wesleyan compiled two NAIA standards plus four All-Crossroads League recognitions. The Distance Medley Relay team captured first place and a Crossroads League championship. IWU sits third in the team standings with 44 points.

WOMEN:  NAIA Standards

•  The 4x800-Meter Relay team ran a time of 9:41.15 to gain an NAIA A standard. The relay was composed of Sterling Simek, Erica Stutsman, Erin Couwenhoven, and Leah Blankenship.

•  Jessica Sprinkles hit the NAIA B standard in the 600-Meter Run with a time of 1:38.28.

•  Lorna Bechtel scored 3,136 points to win the Pentathlon. She earned the NAIA B standard as there is not an A standard in the event.

WOMEN:  All-Crossroads League Performances

•  Lorna Bechtel won the Crossroads League championship in the Pentathlon. In the five events, Bechtel accumulated 3,136 points to outdistance the runner-up with 2,915 points. She earned the highest scores in the 60-Meter Hurdles, Shot Put, and Long Jump while placing second in the High Jump and third in the 800-Meter Run.

•  Natalie Cotherman captured a third place finish in the Weight Throw with a mark of 15.40-meters (50-6.25 feet). The throw earned her a third place finish out of 19 competitors.

•  The 4x800-Meter Relay team ran a time of 9:41.15 to place third out of eight teams. The relay was composed of Sterling Simek, Erica Stutsman, Erin Couwenhoven, and Leah Blankenship.

•  Jessica Sprinkles won the Crossroads League championship in the 600-Meter Run. She beat the 18-runner field with a time of 1:38.28.

•  Celeste Kuck wrapped up a third place finish in the Pole Vault. Her height of 3.22-meters (10-6.75 feet) was good for third out of nine vaulters.

MEN:  NAIA Standards

•  Chad Ellens reached the NAIA A standard in the 600-Meter Run with a time of 1:21.52.

•  The Distance Medley Relay team surpassed the NAIA A standard with a time of 10:17.35. Steven Ott, Austin Miller, Noah Shigley, and Landon Miller comprised the relay team.

MEN:  All-Crossroads League Performers

•  Chad Ellens earned second place out of 25 runners in the 600-Meter Run. He crossed the finish line in a time of 1:21.52.

•  Chris Maxon ran a time of 15:22.62 to earn third place in the 5,000-Meter Run. There were 19 runners in the race.

•  Brennan Coil was runner-up in the Weight Throw with a mark of 16.11-meters (52-10.25 feet). There were 16 throwers in the event.

•  The Distance Medley Relay team of Steven Ott, Austin Miller, Noah Shigley, and Landon Miller won the Crossroads League championship in the event. The relay team won the nine team field in a time of 10:17.35.

CL CHAMPIONSHIPS WRAP ON SATURDAY

Saturday is the final day of the Crossroads League Indoor Track and Field Championships and the day begins at 9:30 a.m. in Upland. Be sure to visit iwuwildcats.com for a full championship meet recap and results.