News


Track and Field Signees
July 2, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field program upgraded its already strong program with some very impressive signees. For the men, they signed: Russell Dill from Fort Wayne originally, and was the national champ in the 400 hurdles for D3 at 51.30. Ramon Gates from Danville Community College was one of the best triple jumpers in the nation with a jump of 47 feet. Tim Fletcher from Austin High School in Indiana has high jumped 7-0. Nick Yates from Bishop Dwenger has run 38.8 in the 300 hurdles. Chad Keller from Bellmont High School medaled at this year's state meet with a throw of 54-11 in the shot put. He has also thrown 158-3 in the discus. Mark Ryerson from Swarz Creek in Michigan has thrown over 52 feet in the shot put and over 150 feet in the discus. Evan Carpenter from Chelsea High School was the Michigan Division 3 State champ in the 110 hurdles, with a best time of 14.0. Sam Trahan from Marion High School was all state in the 200 meter dash with a best time of 21.70. For the women, they signed Jessica Harms from Northrop High School, who ran 14.8 in the 100 hurdles to place 6th at the state meet. She has also long jumped almost 18 feet and has run 46.3 in the 300 hurdles. Takeisha Hunt was a junior college all American at Danville College in the hurdles. Elizabeth Willford from Michigan was the Division 3 state champ in the Pole Vault with a jump of 11-3. Melissa Kauffman of Northridge HS in Indiana ran 2:16 in the 800 this year and ran in the state meet. Delta Martin from Gary West HS in Indiana ran 26.0 for 200 and 59.5 for 400. Mary Bell from Gary West has long jumped 18-0. Renyae Owsley from Northwest HS has run 58.8 in the 400. Coach Peterson looks for both teams to be among the best in the nation next year.

McKaig Sets 2nd National Record
May 24, 2008


Indiana Tech junior Alissa McKaig set her 2nd NAIA national record on Saturday winning the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:39.04, 5 seconds faster than the previous record set in 2005.

McKaig, a Michigan State transfer who graduated from Concordia High School in Fort Wayne, set the new NAIA record in the women’s 10,000-meter run on Thursday with a time of 34:22.95.

In other events Saturday and late Friday:

  • Sophomore Jon Nidlinger placed 36th in the men’smarathon with a time of 2:49:57.
  • Freshman Camron Walter took 9th place in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:20.56.
  • Freshman Alyssa Webb was 10th in the women’s 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:44.54.
  • Sophomore Kesonn Lee took 7th place in the men’s 200-meter dash with a time of 22.07.
  • Senior Rod Waters placed14th in men's 400-meter hurdle semi-finals
  • The women’s 4x400 meter relay placed 12th with a time of 3:56.66.
  • The men’s 4x400 meter relay placed 14th with a time of 3.17.34.

Overall, the Indiana Tech women were in 14th place with 20 points and the Indiana Tech men were in 23rd place with 14 points.

Indiana Tech is in its first year for track and field and sent 21 student-athletes to the NAIA Outdoor Track National Championship to compete in 19 events. The event is being held at the University of Southern Illinois in Edwardsville, Ill.


2nd Tech Runner Wins NAIA Event
May 23, 2008


Warriors’ senior Rod Waters became Indiana Tech’s second national champion in track and field on Friday after winning the 110-meter hurdles with his fastest time of the championship event. Waters, a graduate of Wayne High School in Fort Wayne, completed the sprint in 13.98 seconds, just .3 seconds in front of the runner up. 

Waters joins junior Alissa McKaig, who won the 10,000-meter event on Thursday, as a Warrior national champion at this year’s NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National. McKaig, a Michigan State transfer who graduated from Concordia High School in Fort Wayne, qualified on Friday for the finals in the women’s 5,000-meter run with the second fastest time. 

In other events on Friday, freshman Alyssa Webb finished 11th in the 800-meter run.  Junior Brett Tipton finished 13th in the men’s 800-meter run.  Sophomore Kesonn Lee took a 7th place finish in the finals of the 100-meter dash. Freshman Matt Ditzler finished 20th in the men’s 5,000 meter preliminaries

At the time of this release, Rod Waters is still scheduled to run in the 400-meter hurdles final. Indiana Tech also has teams running in both the men’s and women’s 4x400 meter relays.

For complete event results, visit the NAIA outdoor track championship web page.

Indiana Tech is in its first year for track and field and sent 21 student-athletes to the NAIA Outdoor Track National Championship to compete in 19 events. The event is being held at the University of Southern Illinois in Edwardsville, Ill.


Tech Runner Sets National Record
May 23, 2008


Indiana Tech junior Alissa McKaig won her second NAIA National Championship in record time. McKaig set the new NAIA Outdoor Track Championship record in the women’s 10,000-meter run with a time of 34:22.95, more than 2 seconds faster than the previous record set in 1992.

McKaig battled to hold off second place finisher Caroline Karunde of Wayland Baptist. After three lead changes in the race, McKaig beat Karunde by less than 2 seconds.

McKaig, a Michigan State transfer who graduated from Concordia High School in Fort Wayne, also won the 5,000-meter event at the indoor track national championships in March.

Three other Tech runners competed in event finals during the first day of the championship. Freshman Kara Van Horn finished 12th in the women’s 10,000-meter run with a 37:16.35 time. In the men’s 10,000-meter event, freshman Matt Ditzler finished 18th with a time of 32:16.87 and freshman Daniel Neidlinger finished 19th in 32:.21.09. Freshman Dina Petridis pole vaulted to a 12th place finish clearing 3.3 meters.

In other day one events, several other Tech athletes competed in preliminaries and qualified to advance. Senior Rod Waters qualified in the preliminaries for both the men’s 110-meter hurdles (2nd best time of 14.22) and in the 400-meter hurdles. Freshmen Camron Walter and John Wainwright both qualified in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with times of 9:18.26 and 9:24.02 respectively. Junior Brett Tipton qualified in the 800-meter run in 1:54.61. Freshman Alyssa Webb advanced in the 1,500 -meter run in a time of 4:48.43. Sophomore Kesonn Lee advanced in the 100-meter dash prelims with a time of 10.84, and he also will compete in the finals of the 200-meter dash.

Indiana Tech is in its first year for track and field and sent 21 student-athletes to the NAIA Outdoor Track National Championship to compete in 19 events. The event is being held at the University of Southern Illinois in Edwardsville, Ill..

For complete event results, visit the NAIA outdoor track championship Web page.


Track team has strong showing at Billy Hayes Invitational
May 12, 2008


The Indiana Tech track and field teams had an outstanding performance at the Billy Hayes Invitational at Indiana University on Friday, May 9th. Several individuals broke school records and qualified for nationals.  Highlights for the men were:

Camron Walter (South Whitley, Whitko) finished 3rd overall in his second steeplechase of his career, running 9:14.11, which is the fifth best time in the nation and a new school record.  Walter has qualified for nationals in this event.  Rod Waters (Fort Wayne, IN / Wayne) placed 2nd overall in the 110 hurdles, breaking his own school record with a time of 14.41, sixth best time in the nation. Kesonn Lee (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) finished 2nd overall in the 100m dash with his 2nd best time of the year, 10.67 and followed that performance with a 21.73 in the 200m which broke the school record and qualified for nationals. Brett Tipton (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) won his 800m heat and was sixth overall with a time of 1:52.63 which broke the school record and qualified him for nationals. Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central) finished 1st overall in the 1500, breaking the school record with a time of 3:57.66. John Wainwright (Rome City, IN / Lakeland) won his 800m race in 1:54.47 and he improved his best time by over two seconds.  Derrick Brinkley (Washington D.C. / Archbishop Carroll) finished 16th in the 400 in a time of 49.01 and narrowly missed qualifying for nationals.  His time did set a school record.  Tommy Mullen (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central) ran 4:06.80 in the 1500m, improving his personal best by seven seconds.  Jonathan Jimenez (Merrillville, IN / Andrean) ran 1:57.21, a new personal best for 800m.  And finally in the 3k, Derek Holst (South Whitley, IN / Whitko) and Anthony Allen (Milwaukee, WI / Milwaukee Tech) both achieved personal best times with 9:05 and 9:38 respectively.

Highlights for the women: Alissa McKaig (Fort Wayne, IN / Concordia) was the overall winner in the 1500, running a personal best time of 4:31.31 and qualifying for nationals. Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence Central) was 12th overall in the 800, running 2:16.12, which is a school record and Webb qualified for nationals.  Kara Van Horn (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) placed fifth in the 1500 with a personal best time of 4:47.44.  Dina Petridis (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) placed seventh in the pole vault with a jump of 11-4.

The Warriors now get ready for nationals, which take place at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, IL on May 22-24th.

The following athletes will be competing at nationals:

For the men,

Rod Waters    110 hurdles, 400 hurdles and 4x4 relay

Kesonn Lee    100m, 200m, and 4x4 relay

Matt Ditzler    5k and 10k

Dan Neidlinger    10k

Derrick Brinkley    4x4 relay and 4x8 relay

Camron Walter     steeplechase

John Wainwright    steeplechase and 4x8 relay

Jonathan Jimenez    4x8 relay

Zac Chapman        4x4 relay

Keith Lewis           4x4 relay

Richard Marks       4x4 relay

Jon Nidlinger         marathon

Brett Tipton            800m and 4x8 relay

The following women will also be competing at nationals:

Alissa McKaig        5000m and 10,000m

Alyssa Webb          800m, 1500m, and the 4x4

Kara Van Horn        5000m and 10,000m

Dina Petridis             pole vault

Felicia Mondry        steeplechase

Domi Elizondo         400m and 4x4 relay

Karrie Burch            4x4 relay

Cristine Gulbranson    4x4 relay

 

 


Track and Field teams compete at WHAC Championships
May 5, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field teams both finished fourth at the 2008 WHAC Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 2nd at Grand Rapids, MI.  The following individuals won their events and they are All-WHAC.  For the men:  Rod Waters (Fort Wayne, IN / Wayne) won the 110 hurdles in 14.62 and the 400 hurdles in 52.98.  His 110 hurdle time is currently 11th in the nation and his 400 hurdles time is 9th.  The 4x400 relay team of Kesonn Lee (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop), Derrick Brinkley (Washington D.C. / Archbishop Carroll), Keith Lewis (Detroit, MI / Mumford) and Waters won their event with a time of 3:15.78, 5th fastest in the nation this year. For the women: Alissa McKaig (Fort Wayne, IN / Concordia) won the 5000m in a time of 16:40, 2nd fastest in the country.  The 1600 relay team of Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence Central), Domi Elizondo (Indianapolis, IN / Pike), Cristine Gulbranson (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop), and Karrie Burch (Warsaw, IN / Warsaw) won their event in a time of 3:57.10, the 15th best time in the country.  Webb also won the 800 in a time of 2:18.67.  The following individuals were runner-ups:  John Wainwright (Rome City, IN / Lakeland) in the steeplechase in a time of 9:26.80.  This is the 10th best time in the country.  Kesonn Lee in the 100 and 200, running 11.02 and 22.16 respectively.  Derrick Brinkley in the 800 with a time of 1:55.70. Domi Elizondo in the 400 in a time of 57.67 and qualifying for nationals.  Karrie Burch in the 100 and 200 in times of 12.75 and 26.36.  And finally, Dina Petridis (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) in the pole vault with a jump of 10-6.  The Warriors will next compete on Friday, May 9th at Indiana University.


Warriors have great results at Hillsdale Relays
April 28, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field teams enjoyed their best outdoor meet of the season this weekend at Hillsdale College.  Several of the highlights from the men's results:  The 3200 Relay team of Jonathan Jimenez (Merrillville, IN / Andrean), Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central), Derrick Brinkley (Washington DC / Archbishop Carroll), and Brett Tipton (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) finished first in the meet with a time of 7:42 and qualified for nationals.  Their time is currently ranked second in the nation.  John Wainwright (Rome City, IN / Lakeland) won the steeplechase with a time of 9:29.  Wainwright qualified for nationals (currently 8th nationally with this time) and he finished the final three laps of the event with only one shoe after another runner had stepped on him!  Wainwright also won his heat of the 1500 with a time of 4:01, a personal best. the 1600 relay team of Anthony Argentino (Syracuse, IN / Wawasee), Zac Chapman (Kendallville, IN / East Noble), Kesonn Lee (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop), and Derrick Brinkley finished fourth overall in a time of 3:17, qualifying for nationals.  Matt Ditzler (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) finished 10th overall running 31:27, a national standard, which is currently ranked the 8th best time in the nation.   In the 400 hurdles, Rod Waters (Fort Wayne, IN / Wayne) finished 4th with a time of 53.92 and qualifying for nationals.  Anthony Argentino and Zac Chapman tied for 10th with a time of 55.31, one hundredth off the national standard.  Argentino finished third overall in the 110 hurdles in his first outdoor meet after coming back from an injury.  His time of 15.13 was .08 off the national standard.  Kesonn Lee was 4th overall in the 100m dash (10.90) and 6th overall in the 200m dash (22.01).  Jonathan Jimenez placed 2nd in his heat of the 1500, with a personal best time of 4:04.90.  Tommy Mullen (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central) also ran the 1500 in a personal best time of 4:12.

For the women, Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence) placed 5th overall in the 1500, running 4:43.56, a personal best and qualifying for nationals.  Kara Van Horn (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) ran 38:26 in the 10k and she qualified for nationals.  Domi Elizondo (Indianaplois, IN / Pike) was third in her heat  of the 400, running a personal best time of 58.66.  Both teams will next compete at the WHAC Track and Field Championships at Grand Rapids, MI, May 2nd-3rd.


Warriors shine at Eastern Michigan Twilight Meet
April 21, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field team competed at the Eastern Michigan Twilight Meet on Saturday, April 19th and overall they performed well with several individuals qualifying for nationals.  Here are the men's highlights:

Matt Ditzler (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) placing second overall in the 5k with a time of 14:49, lowering his personal time by 21 seconds.  Ditzler's time is #5 in the country and qualifies him for nationals.  In the same event, Dan Niedlinger (Plymouth, IN / Plymouth) placed 19th with a time of 15:30.  John Wainwright (Rome City, IN / Lakeland) finished sixth overall in the steeplechase, running 9:35.50, qualifying for nationals.  Camron Walter (South Whitley, IN / Whitko) finished seventh (9:50.64).  The 4x1 relay of Keith Lewis (Detroit, MI / Mumford), Kesonn Lee (Ft. Wayne, IN / Northrop), Rod Waters (Ft. Wayne, IN / Wayne), and James Baumgartner (Fairfield, IN / Fairfield) placed 3rd in 42.38 to qualify for nationals.  The 4x4 relay team of Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central), Derrick Brinkley (Washington DC / Archbishop Carroll), Waters and Lee placed 4th, running 3:19.68, qualifying for nationals and Waters qualified for nationals in the 400 hurdles with a time of 55.00.  Other highlights included: Lee placing 2nd overall in the 100m dash (10.83), Richard Marks (Pinkney, MI / Pinckney) won his heat of the 400, running 49.96.  Brett Tipton (Ft. Wayne, IN / Northrop) won his heat of the 800, running 1:54.69 and Brinkley, in the same event, ran 1:55.73.  Arik Jones (Beach Park, IL / Christian Life) placed seventh in the triple jump with a personal best of 41-5.25 and Mitchell ran 3:58 in the 1500, finishing 6th in his heat.

For the women:  Dina Petridis (Ft. Wayne, IN / Northrop) qualified for nationals with a jump of 11-7.75, finishing seventh in the pole vault.  The Warriors next meet is April 25-26th at Hillsdale College (Hillsdale, MI) for the Hillsdale Relays.


Tech has good showing at the Little State meet
April 14, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field team competed at the Little State meet in Indianapolis on Friday and performed well.  The team did not compete on Saturday due to poor weather.  Highlights on Friday from the men included:  Senior Rod Waters (Ft. Wayne, IN / Wayne) ran the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.83 and Sophomore Kesonn Lee (Ft. Wayne, IN / Northrop) ran the 100m sprint in 10.62.  Both Waters and Lee qualified for nationals.  Other notable highlights were freshmen Camron Walter (South Whitley, IN / Whitko) and John Wainwright (Rome City, IN / Lakeland) in the 10,000m and steeplechase events, respectively.  Walter finished 6th overall with a time of 32:27 and Wainright won his heat and finished 8th overall in a time of 9:54.  Junior Joe Strong (Ft. Wayne, IN / Northrop) placed well in the pole vault with a jump of 14-0.

For the women, freshman Kara Van Horn (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) was the overall champion in the 10,000m with a time of 38:56 and qualified for nationals.  Freshman Mika Davis (Modoc, IN / Union) also competed in the 10,000m finishing third overall with a time of 39:58. Freshman Domi Elizondo (Indianapolis, IN / Pike) was first overall in the 400m with a time of 59.41 and freshman Ari Anderson was third in the same event with a time of 59.84..  Freshman Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence Central) won her heat in the 800m with a time of 2:23.65. 

The teams will next compete at the Eastern Michigan Twilight meet on Saturday, April 19th.


Track and Field excel at two meets
April 7, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field teams competed at two separate meets and each had great results.  Four individuals went to California to compete in the Stanford Invitational (Camron Walter, Matt Ditzler, Dan Neidlinger and Alissa McKaig) and the rest of the squad went to the University of Cincinnati for an invitational.  McKaig (Fort Wayne, IN / Concordia HS) ran 34:10 in the 10km to place 18th, qualifying easily for nationals and just missing out on qualifying for the Olympic Trials by 10 seconds.  Walter (South Whitley, IN / Whitko HS) ran a personal best of 15:08 for 5k, placing 4th and qualifying for nationals.  Ditzler (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) and Neidlinger (Plymouth, IN / Plymouth) competed in the 10k finishing 4th (31:30) and 5th (32:01) respectively.  Both qualified for nationals.

At the Cincinnati meet, Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence Central) placed 5th in the 1500, running 4:46.75, missing the national standard by four tenths of a second.  Felicia Mondry was 4th in the steeplechase, running 11:31.37, qualifying for nationals.  Kara Van Horn (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) placed 10th in the 5k in 18:05 and qualified for nationals.  Ari Anderson (Merrillville, IN / Merrillville) was 8th in the 400 with a time of 59.56. Domi Elizondo Smith (Indianapolis, IN / Pike)  was 14th in the 800 with a personal best time of 2:21. Mika Davis (Modoc, IN / Union) was 15th in the 5000m with a time of 18:48, beating her personal best by 16 seconds. The 1600 relay team of Elizondo, Anderson, Karrie Burch (Warsaw, IN / Warsaw), and Cristine Gulbranson (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) placed 6th with a time of 4:02.75.

For the men, Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central) placed 10th in the 5000m with a time of 15:13, just one second off the national standard.  Derek Holst (South Whitley, IN / Whitko) ran 15:40, improving his personal best by 24 seconds. Rod Waters (Fort Wayne, IN / Wayne) placed 9th in the 110 hurdles (15:41) and placed 13th in the 400 hurdles (56.49).

The Warriors head to IUPUI in Indianapolis this weekend (4/11-4/12) for the Little State Meet.


Track and Field claim three All-Americans at National Indoor Meet
March 10, 2008


The Indiana Tech Track and Field teams claimed three All-Americans at the NAIA National Indoor Track and Field Meet at East Tennessee State University.  Alissa McKaig (Fort Wayne, IN / Concordia) was the highlight of the meet, becoming the first individual national champion in school history.  McKaig won the 5000m by 35 seconds in a time of 16:45.0. Kesonn Lee (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop)  made it through the first two rounds of the 60m and placed 6th overall with a personal best time of 6.80. Derrick Brinkley (Washington D.C. / Archbishop Carroll) made it to the finals of the 600 and placed fifth with a time of 1:20.80.  The top six in each event are recognized as All-American.

There were several other good performances for the Warriors.  Alyssa Webb (Indianapolis, IN / Lawrence Central) finished 7th overall in the 800m with a personal best of 2:17.74. Brett Tipton (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) placed 8th in the 800m final with a best time of 1:54.9.  The men's 3200 relay team of John Wainwright (Rome City, IN / Lakeland), Jon Jimenez (Merrillville, IN / Andrean), Jordan Mitchell (Indianapolis, IN / Franklin Central), Tipton and Brinkley qualified for the final and placed 8th with a best time of 7:49.  Kara Van Horn (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) and Matt Ditzler (Huntington, IN / Huntington North) both missed the their respective 5000m finals by less than a second.  The women's 3200 relay team of Brittney Howland (Grandville, MI / Grandville), Leah Blakemore (Flint, MI / Kearsley), Felicia Mondry (Grandville, MI / Grandville) and Webb placed 11th in a best time of 9:38.  The women's 4x400 of Domi Elizondo (Indianapolis, IN / Pike), Arielle Anderson (Merrillville, IN / Merrillville), Tiffany Aikin (Elkart, IN / Elkart Central), and Karrie Burch (Warsaw, IN / Warsaw) placed 10th with a best time of 3:56. Dina Petridis (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop) placed 15th in the pole vault with a jump of 10-9. Karrie Burch placed 14th in the long jump with a personal best of  17-8. Kesonn Lee placed 10th in the 200 with a personal best time of 22.02. and John Wainwright was 16th in the mile with a time of 4:29.