Simmons wins steeplechase to lead Men's Outdoor Track & Field at Day 2 of OAC Championships

By: Andrew Korba

| OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships |

ALLIANCE -- Senior Michael Simmons captured the 3,000-meter steeplechase to lead the Ohio Northern men's outdoor track & field team at the OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Mount Union.

The Polar Bears (30-22-1 overall) finished the meet in fifth with 82 points.

Mount Union captured the title with 183.5 points, John Carroll was second with 135 points and Wilmington was third with 95 points.

Simmons crossed the line in 9:20.69 and junior Mark Berton finished second for All-OAC honors in 9:28.19.

Simmons also finished fourth in the 5,000-meter run in 15:35.68, while sophomore Nate Rosenbaum and Berton finished sixth and eighth with times of 15:42.43 and 15:50.29, respectively.

The 4x100-meter relay team of junior Adrian Arias, sophomore Jonathan Roseler and freshman Devon Jones and Christian Rupe earned All-OAC accolades with a time of 42.66 seconds.

Jones also finished fourth in the 100-meter dash in 11.20 seconds and Arias notched a seventh place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.63 seconds.

The 4x400-meter relay team of junior Evan McKee, sophomore James Rader, Rupe and Roseler finished in 3:18.54, which was second and earned them All-OAC status.

Sophomore Ryan Brancheau notched an All-OAC honor with a third place finish in the high jump, clearing 6-6.75.

McKee made up five spots in the back stretch of the 800-meter run to post a time of 1:56.93, which was good for fourth place.

Junior Mathew Johnson finished sixth in the 1,500-meter run in 4:03.91 and senior Kris Yaple was seventh in the hammer throw, with a throw of 42.46 meters (139-4).

"We bounced back after a tough day yesterday," said head coach Jason Maus. "We had a ton of personal records and competed well. This is a very tough conference, but the effort we put forth was great."

Ohio Northern will return to action at the Dr. Keller Invitational on May 9 and May 10 in Naperville, Ill.