Men's Track & Field sets new DMR school record and wins the Joe Banks Invitational

ADA — The Ohio Northren men's track and field team had a busy weekend, as it traveled to the Youngstown State National Invitational on Friday night and then hosted its annual Joe Banks Invitational on Saturday.

The DMR squad consisting of seniors Jacob Schwab, Cory Bailey and Dan Smith, and junior Ben Ankrom won in 10:00.38 at YSU, setting a new school record and also notching an NCAA provisional mark.

The Polar Bears then moved on to finish first of six teams at its own event with 169 points, edging out second-place Otterbein (150).

Heidelberg finished third with 135 points, followed by Defiance (115), Muskingum (108) and Bluffton (12).

Northern (8-1) tallied seven first-place finishes, led by sophomore Francisque Pierre-Jerome's three top finishes.

He won the 200 dash in 22.88 and the 60 dash in a season-best 7.06. He teamed with sophomore Adrian Arias and freshmen Chad Bridges and Jonathan Roseler for first in the 4x200 in 1:31.47.

Freshman Nathan Rosenbaum took first in the 5,000 run in 15:55.30, while freshman Kyle Wagner won the 1,000 in 2:41.06.

ONU went 1-and-2 in the 3,000 run with sophomore Mathew Johnson finishing first in 9:02.24, followed by freshman Jeffrey Denny in 9:12.19.

Junior Kenton Holliday, sophomores Evan McKee and Mark Berton and freshman Daniel Steigerwald won the 4x800 in 8:23.68.

Senior Joe Gutter competed at both meets in the weight throw, and posted his best toss Saturday (53-10) for second place.

"It was a good weekend and we have good momentum heading to All-Ohio next weekend," said head coach Jason Maus. "It's always nice to compete at home as well, to allow family and friends to come out and support us."

The Polar Bears hit the road to Westerville next Saturday for the All-Ohio Championships, hosted by Otterbein.