By Hannah Shirey ’23, assistant editor
The men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams competed in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Indoor Track and Field Championships over the weekend.
The men’s team finished third overall with 108 points, while the women placed fifth with 85 points. Owen Buhr, a senior captain, led both teams with four gold medals and one silver medal. His incredible performance earned him Male Track Athlete of the Year.
“I have worked so hard the past four years and it is so nice to see it pay off,” Buhr said.
In the 60 meter hurdles, Buhr broke the MAC Championship record and won gold, running in 8.22 seconds. Zach Reed finished third, and Daniel Murtha finished seventh.
Owen Buhr, Owen Linder, Logan Grauer and Zach Reed took home gold in the 4X200 meter relay and the 4X400 meter relay. The women’s team of Hannah McCurdy, Darrian Berkheimer, Alyssa Peiffer and Laura Good placed second in the 4X200 meter relay.
The women placed third, fifth and seventh in the weight throw. McKenna Loughney earned bronze with a throw of 15.44 meters. Ashley Bartels placed fifth, and Mackenze Spence placed seventh.
The men’s 4×800 meter relay team of Andy Loy, Alec Di Cesare, Mac Eschinger and Vinny Ferrizzi ran 8:09.25 to finish second. Keri Jones, Julia Resele, Julia Wawrzynski and Lauren Bunke earned third in the women’s race.
Darrian Berkheimer finished second in the 400 meters with a time of 59.98 seconds. In the men’s race, Logan Grauer finished fifth with a time of 51.42 seconds.
Buhr also won gold in the 200 meter dash and silver in the 60 meter dash.
“I am most proud of being able to consistently progress throughout my career,” Buhr said. “During my four years, I have consistently placed higher at MAC Championships and been able to lower my times.”
Buhr went on to finish fourth in the 60-meter hurdles at the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Championships and 16th in 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday, March 11.
Buhr gives a lot of thanks and credit to Coach Byler and his teammates who have pushed him to get better every day. He looks to continue his success as he finishes out indoor season and begins outdoor track.