Bruin distance track competes at Baker Relays

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. -- After 22 months, the Bruin distance track team was able to take to the outdoor track again with a promising first meet held in blustery conditions at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan.

Gabe Poppen got the action started for the Bruins in the field as he established a school record in the long jump with a leap of 18' 9".

A second school record was established, this time on the track as Des Debesh covered 800 meters in 2:09.13 to set the new mark. Debesh had the top finish for the Bruins on the day with a 10th place showing. Aaron Newton was also under the existing record in the 800, coming home in 2:13.00.

Debesh and Newton both came back in the 1,500 with Debesh just missing the school record mark in 4:26.76 and Newton cutting two seconds from his personal best in 4:37.87.

Chris Casart and Dixon Kiptoo also opened their outdoor seasons in the 5,000 meters running 17:19.99 and 18:26.99 respectively.

For the Bruin women, Lorena Ramirez showed good early season form running 20:15.67 in the 5,000 meters, just 14 seconds from her school record and personal outdoor best of 20:01.

The women were also represented by Dayana and Diana Montano-Salama who ran the tough 1,500 meter/800 meter double. Dayana ran 6:57.97 and 3:25.75 while Diana clocked in at 7:25.59 and 3:35.64 in those races.

Head Coach Craig Christians: "I think everyone there agreed that it was great to be on the track again after a long absence. I thought it was a very solid first effort and I am thankful that we had this opportunity at Baker in March. We were missing a number of athletes with injury issues but I'm confident that we're going to improve and get some people healthy over the next six weeks and lower some personal bests and school records."

The Bruins will travel to Hastings, Neb. on Friday, April 2 for a quadrangular meet with Hastings, Concordia, and Midland.