John Lanz

Elizabeth Obi

With the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships on the horizon, The College of Wooster's men's and women's track and field teams look to be rounding into form, as Fighting Scot student-athletes either won or were runner-ups in 12 events on Friday evening at the Denison Big Red Invitational in Granville, Ohio.

Matt Margida made his presence felt on the men's side, winning two events in impressive fashion. First the junior launched the shot put 48 feet, 10 inches, which was more than eight feet further than his closest competitor. His other triumph was much more dramatic, as his discus throw of 138 feet, 3 inches edged out the next in line by just two inches.

Another first-place effort came from the relay team of Tarik Welch, Jairaj Ranchod, Taylor Graffa, and John Lanz, whom won the 4x400 in 3:27.37.

The men also turned in a pair of runner-up finishes, including one from Shawn Bowman, who took second-place in the long jump with a measurement of 21 feet, 0.5 inches. In addition, Lanz came up just shy of victory in the 400 meters (50.90) in a photo finish.

Wooster's women got a boost from reigning NCAC Athlete-of-the-Week Paris Nahas, as the lightning-quick junior sprinted to the front of the pack in the 200 meters (25.89) and was also second in the 100 meters in a time of 12.73.

Standout newcomer Elizabeth Obi was just as effective in her signature events, recording a winning triple jump (34 feet, 2.75 inches) and a second-place high jump (4 feet, 10.25 inches).

Other triumphs came from Katie Cameron in the long jump (15 feet, 8.25 inches), and in the 4x400 relay, as Lissette Torres, Gabrielle Neubauer, Mackenzie Kellar, and Ashley Huddson took top honors in 4:14.45.

Finally, Lauren Buyan was second in the 1500 meter run in 4:53.74, just a step behind the winner (4:53.31).

The multi-event (decathlon/heptathlon) portion of the NCAC's will take place Saturday and Sunday on the campus of Oberlin College.