Simmons breaks ONU's steeplechase record for the third time in Track & Field's regular season conclusion at NCC

By: Monique Bowman

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Ohio Northern men's track and field team ended the regular season on a high note while competing at the unscored Gregory Invitational, hosted by North Central (Ill.) on Thursday and Friday.

For the third time this season, junior Michael Simmons set a new school record in the steeplechase, finishing in 9:07.86.

Sophomore Mark Berton also bested his time in the steeple, finishing in 9:22.42.

Both Cory Bailey and Evan McKee posted season-best times in the 800 run. Bailey finished fourth in 1:52.07, followed by McKee with an eighth place finish in 1:52.85.

Junior Ben Ankrom earned a fourth place finish in the 1,500 run in 3:52.96, while freshman Ryan Brancheau tied for third place in the high jump clearing a season-best 6-7.

Senior Joe Gutter closed out his collegiate season with a strong showing in the hammer throw, finishing eighth overall at 165-1.

One member of the women's track & field team competed, as junior Vicki Moga tied for seventh in the high jump at 5-3.

The track & field season comes to a head next week at the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships in Claremont, Calif. The field for the championships will be solidified Monday morning, though the top 20 men and top 22 women in each event earn a trip.

Please visit ONUsports.com for coverage of the field announcement as well as for recaps of the Polar Bears' performance.