Freshman Matt Molinaro leads the Men's Track and Field team as they finish first at the Defiance Invitational

By Ashley Birchmeier

DEFIANCE — The Ohio Northern men's indoor track & field team won the Defiance Invitational on Saturday at the George M. Smart Center.

The Polar Bears (10-0 overall) scored 142.5 points.

The distance medley team of senior Kyle Wagner, freshman Matt Molinaro, sophomore Andrew Harden, and senior Nathan Rosenbaum led the Polar Bears in the meet as they finished first in 10:54.27.

Molinaro, junior Brandon Ike, and sophomore Lucas Shumate also recorded first place finishes in their respective events. 

Molinaro won the 800-meter dash in 1:57.40, Ike took won the pole vault clearing a height of 4.15 meters, and Shumate won the weight throw with a pitch of 16.25 meters.

The Polar Bears claimed the 2-3-4 spots in the mile as Wagner placed second in 4:26.16, followed by sophomore Andrew Harden in 4:27.86, and sophomore Aaren Hemmelgarn in 4:28.17.

Senior Robbie Brinkman led the Polar Bears in the 60-meter hurdles as he finished second in :08.81.

Senior Jonathan Roseler took fourth in the 400 meters in :51.71, while junior William Huddleston took third in the 3,000 meters in 9:09.61.

The Polar Bears will return to competition on Friday at the OAC Split Meet hosted by Baldwin Wallace.

Team Results:

1, Ohio Northern 142.53, 2. IT Track Club 83.50, 3. Adrian (Mich.) 72, 4. Indiana Tech 66, 5. Heidelberg 60, 6. Grace (Ind.) 51, 7. Defiance 49.50, 8. Alma (Mich.) 41, 9. Thomas More (Ky.) 33, 10. Olivet (Mich.) 31, 11. Manchester (Ind.) 23.50