Valparaiso registered five top-ten finishes, led by two from Jeff Swihart (Wakarusa, Ind./Northwood H.S.), as the Crusaders took part Saturday in the Earlybird Invtiational, hosted by Illinois State.

The Brown and Gold notched four of their five top-tens in the throws. Steve Bartholomew (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township H.S.) took eighth in the weight throw with an effort of 51'7 ¼", third-best in Crusader history. Swihart finished tenth in the same event with a throw of 49'1", 15 inches better than his previous career-best effort.

Eric Smith (Portage, Ind./Portage H.S.) recorded a seventh-place finish in the shot put, posting a distance of 41'5 ¾", while Swihart placed tenth, as his throw covered 39'7 ¾".

Valpo's other top-ten finish came courtesy of Patrick Misch (Leonard, Mich./Lutheran North H.S.), who brought home ninth place in the long jump with a jump of 20'7 ¾" in his debut meet.

On the track, Tom Heun (Brecksville, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights H.S.) led the way for Valpo, coming in 14th place in the 60 meter hurdles. Heun's time of 8.86 seconds just missed cracking Valpo's all-time top-five.

Valparaiso returns to action after the holidays, as they travel to the Windy City to take part in the Chicago Invitational January 21.