On Friday, the Valparaiso men’s track & field team traveled to Allendale, Mich. to compete at the GVSU Invitational. In a field of twenty teams and over 800 total athletes, the Crusaders were able to finish in thirteenth place overall.

On the track, senior Matthew Pryzbyla took eighth place in the 5000m run, crossing the finish line in 15:57.61. Elsewhere, the 4x400m relay team of Antwon Hatchett, Anthony Franze, Andrew Butts, and Chad Brooks ran to a fifth place finish in the event and a fourth best all-time finish in the Crusaders’ indoor record book. The team clocked in at 3:25.04. Three places and seven seconds behind them was Valparaiso’s second 4x400m relay team. The second team of Josh Carow, Kevin Adamik, Dan Walters, and Tyler Crum finished the race with a time of 3:32.71.

In the field events, Brennen Miller cleared 5’11 ½” in the high jump, a height good enough for eighth place. In the pole vault, Jordan Kelly was able to clear 14’09” for a fifth place finish. Kelly’s effort was good for second place on the Crusaders’ all-time chart. In the same event, teammate Justin Zosso claimed ninth place, clearing a height of 14’03 ¼”.

In the weight throw, Jacob Smutz and Jacob Frey took eighth and ninth place respectively. Smutz threw for a distance of 51’06 ½”, while Frey was able to clear 51’05”.

The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, January 25^th at the IPFW Quadrangular in Fort Wayne, Ind.