Five Crusaders Earn MVC Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Honors

The Valparaiso University men's track and field team had five athletes honored by the Missouri Valley Conference as part of the league’s Scholar-Athlete Team this week.

Men’s 4x400 Relay Takes Down 44-Year-Old Record to Conclude MVC Championships

The Valparaiso University track and field teams wrapped up the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships on Sunday in Terre Haute, Ind. The men’s 4x400-meter relay team of senior Brandon Riley (Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park) and sophomores Bryce Otterbach (Mendota, Ill./Mendota), Steve Helm (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) and Ben Sekuloski (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) set a new school record to highlight the day for the Crusaders. Sophomore Jeremy Seiler (Angola, Ind./Fremont) and junior Zach Topper (Portage, Ind./Portage) also moved up the record book in the men’s pole vault.

Crusaders Complete Day 2 of MVC Championships

The Valparaiso University track and field teams competed in the second day of the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, hosted by Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. on Saturday. Senior Brandon Riley (Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park) led the way by improving upon his place in the record book in the 400-meter dash. With one day remaining, the Crusaders have an opportunity to move up in the team standings. The men trail seventh by eight points, while the women are behind seventh by just four.

Sowonik Sets Record on Day 1 of MVC Championships

The Valparaiso University track and field teams participated in the first day of the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, hosted by Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. on Friday. Freshman Carli Sowonik (Hebron, Ind./Hebron) highlighted the day with a record-breaking performance in the women’s pole vault. The newcomer broke a tie by over four inches for the top spot in the event – first set in 2012 and matched in 2016. The men have accumulated eight points, while the women have five so far with two days remaining in the event.

Track & Field Enjoys Victorious Home Meet

The Valparaiso University track and field teams hosted the Crusader Invite at Warren G. Hoger Track on Saturday. Despite the chilly temperatures, both the men and women secured team victories on Senior Day. The men topped a field of five teams with 290 total points, while the women prevailed with 180 points. The Crusaders accounted for 19 individual wins, including two each from senior Andrew Guzek (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) and junior Nellie Bonham (Palos Hills, Ill./Stagg), both claiming victories in the shot put and hammer throw.

Crusaders Split Successful Day at Two Separate Invitationals

The Valparaiso University track and field teams recorded three individual wins on the day at the DePaul Invitational in Chicago on Saturday. Junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University) broke through first with a win in the men’s 800-meter run. Freshman Carli Sowonik (Hebron, Ind./Hebron) added another victory in the women’s pole vault, while sophomore Jake Rasawehr (Celina, Ohio/Celina) won the discus throw.

Men’s Track & Field Finishes Third at Redbird Invite

The Valparaiso University track and field teams competed at the Redbird Invite, hosted by Illinois State on Saturday despite the elements outdoors in Normal, Ill. The men finished with 100 total points in the team standings, ahead of Butler, Western Illinois and Dayton. SIU Edwardsville was just ahead of the Crusaders with the host Redbirds securing the top spot for both men and women. Junior Peter Rhodes (McLeansville, N.C./Burlington Christian Academy) led the way for Valpo with a runner-up finish in the men’s javelin throw.

Pair of NWI Locals Thrive on Final Day of Gibson Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field teams concluded the two-day Gibson Invitational, hosted by Missouri Valley Conference member Indiana State in Terre Haute on Saturday. Freshman Carli Sowonik (Hebron, Ind./Hebron) highlighted the day with a victory in the women’s pole vault and a spot in the school record book, while senior Andrew Guzek (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) moved up the record book in the men’s shot put.

Crusaders Complete Day 1 of Gibson Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field teams participated in the first day of the Gibson Invitational, hosted by Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. on Friday. They began competition with the 5000-meter run, along with the hammer throw and javelin throw.

Track & Field Wraps Up Bobcat Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field team closed out the Bobcat Invitational, hosted by Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas on Saturday. Senior Andrew Guzek (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) led the way for the Crusaders with an eighth-place finish in the men’s shot put in Saturday’s action.

Crusaders Complete Successful Day at Bobcat Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field team took several athletes to the Bobcat Invitational, hosted by Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. On the second day of the three-day event, sophomore Ben Sekuloski (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) was victorious in the 100-meter dash while moving up the Valpo record book. Junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University) also climbed the record book in the 5000-meter run.

Bruno and Zibricky Compete at Famed Texas Relays

Junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University) and senior Ben Zibricky (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) qualified in the 1500 meter run for the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin this week. The four-day event invites over 7,000 athletes from high school to college, including international athletes and Olympians. There are 195 colleges represented, along with 21 countries from around the world with athletes competing at the event.

Track & Field Opens 2018 Outdoor Campaign

After a week of participating in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, the Valparaiso University track and field team opened up the 2018 outdoor season at the McNeese Cowboy Relays, also known as the Bob Hayes Challenge, on Saturday in Lake Charles, La. The Crusaders boasted seven individuals in the top seven in their events, all scoring points for the squad in the team standings.

Crusaders Close Out MVC Indoor Championships

The Valparaiso University track and field teams capped off the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships on Sunday at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University) highlighted the day with a seventh-place finish in the mile run.

Track and Field Completes First Day of MVC Indoor Championships

The Valparaiso University track and field teams wrapped up the first day of the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday in Cedar Falls, Iowa on the campus of UNI. The Crusaders had multiple season-best performances on the day. Senior Andrew Guzek (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) led the way with a fifth-place finish in the weight throw, while sophomore Jeremy Seiler (Angola, Ind./Fremont) placed seventh overall in the pole vault. Junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University) also qualified ninth in the mile run and is set to compete in the final on Sunday.

Bruno Improves School Record at Alex Wilson Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field teams had four athletes participate at the Alex Wilson Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame on Saturday. The competition comprised of numerous athletes from top programs across the country. Junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University) highlighted the day when he dropped the school record in the mile by almost three seconds despite battling an illness.

Sekuloski Lowers School Record Friday at GVSU Tune-Up

The Valparaiso University track and field teams combined for five total individual wins on Friday at the GVSU Tune-Up at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich. Sophomore Ben Sekuloski (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) continued his success in the 400-meter dash by improving upon his record-breaking time from two weeks ago.

Track & Field Alters Schedule Due to Projected Inclement Weather

Track and Field Sets Multiple Records at Meyo Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field teams enjoyed two successful days of competition at the Meyo Invitational hosted by Notre Dame on Friday and Saturday. The Crusaders came away with three new school records and multiple personal bests at the Loftus Sports Center against some of the nation’s best athletes. Leading the way was sophomore Ben Sekuloski (Lowell, Ind./Lowell), who broke a 43-year-old record in the 400-meter dash, and junior Alexander Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University), who took down a 40-year-old record in the mile. The men’s distance medley relay also put its mark atop the record book.

Track and Field Continues Success at Fred Wilt Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field teams recorded several Top 5 finishes on Saturday afternoon at the Fred Wilt Invitational hosted by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. The Crusaders had nine performances finish fifth or better throughout the day at Lambert Fieldhouse. The top performance for the men came by a second-place finish from senior Alex Watson (Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) in the pole vault, and by sophomore Anne Mou (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park), who was third in the triple jump, for the Valpo women.

Track & Field Enjoys Strong Performances at Fort Wayne Duals

The Valparaiso University track and field teams posted several team and individual victories on Saturday at the Fort Wayne Duals inside the Mastodon’s Athletics Center Fieldhouse. The men came away with wins against Butler, Detroit Mercy, Evansville, IUPUI, Morehead State, Northern Kentucky and Oakland. The women topped Evansville, IUPUI, Morehead State and tied with Butler in the final team standings.

Track & Field Opens 2018 at Grand Valley State

The Valparaiso University track and field teams returned to action to start the new calendar year on Friday at the Bob Eubanks Open, hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich. The women were led by sophomore Anne Mou (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) in the triple jump and freshman Carli Sowonik (Hebron, Ind./Hebron) in the pole vault, each of whom placed second in their respective events. On the men’s side, senior classmates Montel Hall (Waukegan, Ill./Waukegan) in the triple jump and Alexander Watson (Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) in the pole vault both finished third. The men collected 54 total points to place fifth out of 12, while the women were 10th of 14 teams with 21 points.

Track & Field to Host Open Throws

The Valparaiso University track and field program is hosting open throws on Mondays and Wednesdays for the remainder of the season. Those interested in participating should contact head coach Ryan Moore at Ryan.Moore@valpo.edu for additional information.

Valpo Track & Field Announces Outdoor Schedule

The Valparaiso University track and field teams have released their schedule for the 2018 outdoor season. The schedule starts with trips to Louisiana and Texas before the Crusaders will stay within the Midwest for the rest of their meets.

Valpo Track & Field Opens Season at Blue & Gold Invitational

The Valparaiso University track and field team kicked off its indoor season with a trip to Notre Dame for the Blue & Gold Invitational at the Loftus Sports Center on Friday. Senior Andrew Guzek and sophomore Ben Sekuloski led the way for the men, each capturing a runner-up finish. Sophomore Anne Mou took home a third-place finish as the top finisher for the Crusader women.

Valpo Track & Field Releases Indoor Schedule

The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s track and field teams have announced the indoor portion of their schedule. The slate includes three trips to nearby Notre Dame and only one meet outside of the state of Indiana. The indoor season concludes with the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa in late February.

Valpo to Host Crusader Open April 28

The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s track and field teams will host the fourth annual Crusader Open on April 28, 2018. This will be just the fifth-ever meet hosted at the Warren G. Hoger Track at Brown Field.

Valpo In The Valley: Track and Field/Cross Country

Continuing the #ValpoInTheValley series, which will take a look at each of the Missouri Valley Conference’s 17 sports, are track and field and cross country. Learn about the landscape of The Valley in these sports and hear from cross country head coach Mike Straubel and track and field head coach Ryan Moore as they talk about what their respective programs are looking forward to entering their first season of MVC competition and who will lead the way in 2017-18 for their squads.