Jim Turchyn (Batesville, Ind./Batesville) and Leandro Schultz (Valley View, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) each posted sixth-place finishes on Friday to lead the Valparaiso men’s track and field team at the Tiger Invitational in Greencastle, Ind.

The Crusader men tallied six points to finish in a tie for 11th place in the team standings Friday.  Indiana State captured the team championship with 123 points.

Turchyn registered his sixth-place showing in the one mile run, crossing the line in 4:31.44, the fastest time in the event by any Crusader this season.  Schultz placed sixth in the 3,000m run, finishing with a time of 9:09.92, improving upon his season best in the event.

Valpo placed three runners in the top-15 of both races.  Turcyhn was joined in the mile run by Keith Button (Farmington Hills, Mich./Farmington), who finished 13th with a time of 4:38.53, and Joel Mathwig (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek), who crossed the line in 4:39.58, good for 15th place.  Joel Hartenberger (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia) came home in 11th position in the 3,000m run with a time of 9:13.88, while Turchyn completed the 3K in 9:17.33 for a 12th-place showing.

On the infield, Nick Babbitt (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet) led the way for the Crusaders with a 12th-place performance in the weight throw.  Babbitt registered a mark of 48’3 ½”, the best distance by any Crusader thrower in the event this year.

Valparaiso returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Chicagoland Championships in Chicago, Ill.  The first event is slated for an 11 a.m. start.