GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Austin Hadley took home another gold medal Saturday for Franklin & Marshall at the Centennial Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Hadley took first in the discus for the second gold of his career after he was the conference's indoor champion in the shot put. Another highlight was Zach Houff breaking the school record in the 800 meters with the fastest time in the qualifying heats to set himself up for Sunday. Following two days of competition, F&M is currently tied for fifth with 27 team points.
Hadley took the top spot on the podium after unleashing a throw of 46.47 meters. That mark moves him up to fourth in the F&M record books in additon to earning another first-team All-Centennial Conference accolade. Ben Ostroski was another Diplomat to score in discus as he placed fifth with a mark of 41.02 meters. The football crossover athletes continued to shine as Kenny Uchida took seventh place to earn team points in the long jump (6.42m).
Houff put himself in prime position for Sunday's 800 meter championship as he crossed the line in a school record time of 1:52.72, breaking Luk Olenginski's (Class of 2015) school record of 1:53.25. Houff's newest PR currently ranks 46th in Division III for the indoor national qualifier.
Greg Bruno led F&M in two events as he placed 12th in the high jump (1.68m) and 17th in the heats of the 200 meter dash (23.22). Other top Diplomat event finishers featured Alex Olener (15th in 110 meter hurdles; 19.18), Jake Zion (17th place in 400 meters; 53.15), and Makonnen Martin (21st in 100 meter dash; 11.67).
The Centennial Conference Track & Field Championships conclude on Sunday with 13 event finals on the schedule. Action gets started at 11 a.m. and continues through the awards ceremony just after 4 p.m.
Franklin & Marshall Saturday scorers/finalists qualifiers
Discus
1. Austin Hadley (46.47m) – ranks fourth in school history
5. Ben Ostroski (41.02m)
Long Jump
7. Kenny Uchida (6.42m)
800 meters finals qualifier
1. Zach Houff (1:52.72) – new school record
