The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s track & field teams started a weekend of competition at the Grand Valley State Big Meet in Allendale, Mich. on Friday. The Beacons were led by a pair of record-setting performances, as Micah Mullings (Minesing, Ontario, Canada / Barrie North) outdid the program’s previous all-time best in the long jump, while Evan Walda (Fort Wayne, Ind.  / South Side) bettered his own program standard in the 3000.  

How It Happened

• Mullings won the long jump with a leap of 7.50 meters (24-7.25), outdoing a program record of 24-2.25 that had stood since 2011 when it was established by Jarrett Mickens. In addition, Mullings captured the triple jump crown at 14.52m (47-7.75) as part of a strong day in the jump.
• Walda stopped the clock in 8:12.75 in the 3000, placing seventh in the field. He bettered his own record of 8:14.50 that had occurred at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic.
• Also in the men’s 3000, Simeon Ehm (Castle Rock, Colo. / Heritage) shattered his previous personal record by 14 seconds, climbing to fourth in program history with a time of 8:18.85. He placed 12^th in the event. Ehm moved ahead of Alexander Bruno (2020, 8:20.01) for fourth in Valpo lore and is behind only Walda, Ignacio Veloz Bonilla (2023) and Aaron Crauge (2001).
• Elsewhere on the track, Grace Aurand (Highland, Ind. / Highland) set a PR in the 3000 at 10:12.82, placing 11^th of 22. Alex Valerio (Rockford, Ill. / Boylan Catholic) clipped his previous personal best in the 5000 with a time of 15:24.22 that placed 14^th.
• In the throws, Tori Gerhardt (Westville, Ind. / Chesterton) checked in 13^th of 23 in the women’s weight at 15.72m.

Up Next

The Beacons will round out the GVSU Big Meet on Saturday. Links to live video and results are available on ValpoAthletics.com.