Saturday, February 11, 2006

Led by a victory by Tom Heun (Brecksville, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights H.S.) in the 55m hurdles, Valparaiso finished fifth Saturday afternoon at the Carthage Pepsi Challenge in Kenosha, Wis.

Heun broke the tape in the hurdles in 8.10 seconds, his best effort of the year in the event. He also posted an eighth-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 19'11 ¾".

Michael Brouch (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) posted a fourth place finish in the 5,000m run, crossing the line in 15:51.45.

Valparaiso once again showed its depth in the field events, placing three athletes in the top-seven in the weight throw. Steve Bartholomew (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township H.S.) led the way, finishing fourth with a toss of 52' ½". Eric Smith (Portage, Ind./Portage H.S.) and Jeff Swihart (Wakarusa, Ind./Northwood H.S.) finished sixth and seventh in the event, with efforts of 47'3 ¾" and 46'8 ¾", respectively.

Swihart used an effort of 44'10 ¾" in the shot put to finish in seventh in that event as well. Philip Lohrmann (Battle Ground, Wash./Battle Ground H.S./Clark CC) vaulted 12'11 ¾" to finish fifth in the pole vault.

The Crusaders scored 43 points, good for fifth place in the nine-team event. North Central College took home top team honors with 225.5 points.

Valparaiso returns to action next weekend, traveling to Romeoville, Ill. to take part in the Chicagoland Championships. Action begins Friday, February 17 at 4 p.m.