MOUNT VERNON - Southwestern sophomore Chase Oates continued his destruction of the SWCC record books Saturday, claiming his sixth school record and qualifying for nationals in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
In a field comprised of all four-year athletes, Oates ran a strong tactical race en route to winning the event in 9:35.59. He stayed relaxed while working in a pack of three through the first 2 kilometers of the race, before pulling away for a 16-second victory over the final 1K. It marked a 23-second PR in the event for Oates, who smashed Phoenix Shadden's 2018 school record time of 9:55.76. Oates was also well under the national qualifying standard of 9:50.21, punching his ticket to the NJCAA Outdoor Championships May 16-18 in Monroe, Louisiana. He currently ranks 14th in the NJCAA for the steeplechase.
"This was a brilliant race by Chase," said Scott Vicker, director of cross country/track & field. "Steeplechase is a difficult race to run even splits in, and Chase ran pretty even 1K splits throughout the race. His fitness level really showed by being able to batten down and run as well as he did over that final 1K. He can definitely go faster, so it will be fun to see how low he can go in this event. As a steepler myself, it was a pretty proud moment to see Chase break the school record and qualify for nationals."
With the team shorthanded because of several nagging injuries, the Spartans still put together a day full of PRs.
Freshman Jedd Weinkoetz posted a 2-meter PR in the javelin to move up to fifth on the program's all-time list at 41.99 meters (137 feet, 9 inches). Freshmen Ross Stephens and Emmet Long made their debuts in the event, finishing at 35.85 meters and 24.54 meters, respectively. Long also ran a big PR in the 200 meter dash at 24.13 seconds to win his heat. Jonathon Hackett threw a big PR in the discus throw at 29.76 meters to move into sixth on the program's all-time list. Nic Givens ran a 1-second PR in the 100 meter dash.
For the Spartan women, freshman Kasey Springer moved to 10th on the program's all-time list in the discus with a 2-meter PR of 25.11 meters.
"It was a tough day with the way the wind was blowing, but I was really proud of all our athletes for how they handled it," Vicker said. "Hopefully we can get everyone healthy soon and get a more complete lineup for some of these upcoming meets before we head into regionals."
The Spartans will return to action Friday at Drake University's Jim Duncan Invitational with a limited lineup, before competing in the Dick Young Invitational at Grinnell College on April 20.
