GRANTHAM, Pa. – Zach Houff won the 800 meter race at the Messiah Invitational on Saturday to highlight three scoring performances for the Franklin & Marshall men's track & field team. The Diplomats had four different marks that were added to the College's record book throughout the meet.
A national qualifier in the 800m during the indoor season, Houff's time of 1:54.27 took the title and was the seventh-fastest time in school history. Houff doubled in the 400 meters on Saturday, leading the team with a time of 52.04 seconds in that event, just ahead of Jake Zion's mark of 52.76 seconds.
The three other top 10 marks in program history all came in the throwing events. Austin Hadley placed third in the discus as his personal best of 44.33 meters makes him the fifth-ranked individual in school history. Ben Ostroski was also in the top 15 of that event with a mark of 39.25 meters.
Two more top 10 marks came in the hammer throw where Dustin Stoetzel (44.98m) and Benjamin Ford (42.89m) are now ranked fifth and eighth, respectively, in school history. Ostroski had another strong throw in that event at 40.73 meters to place 17th. Throwing the javelin, Stoetzel just missed a scoring mark at 53.14 meters, with Ford checking in a 45.85 meters. The deepest event for the throwers was the shot put as four individuals placed in the top 25. Hadley also led that contingent as the conference's indoor champion posted a mark of 13.11 meters at Messiah. James Martin (12.67m), Ford (12.22m), and Max David (12.14m) showcased the team's depth with top 25 finishes at the event.
Other field events saw Kenny Uchida narrowly missing a scoring position in the long jump as his best attempt was marked at 1.67 meters. Greg Bruno led the high jumpers when he cleared 1.67 meters. Bruno was also the best individual in the 200 meter race (22.71 seconds). Justin Harrison was the team's fastest runner as he posted a time of 11.48 seconds in the 100 meter dash while finishing just behind Bruno in the 200 (22.76). Brian Mix led F&M's contingent with a 17th-place finish in the 1,500 meter race (4:20.66).
With just two weekends of competition before the Centennial Conference Championships, the Diplomats will stay close to home next Saturday, April 18 as the team takes part in the Millersville Invitational.
Franklin & Marshall Scoring Performances & Top 10 Marks
800 Meters
1. Zach Houff (1:54.27) – seventh in school history
Discus
3. Austin Hadley (44.33m) – fifth in school history
Hammer
8. Dustin Stoetzel (44.98m) – fifth in school history
11. Benjamin Ford (42.89m) – eighth in school history
