Hoosiers shine at Billy Hayes Invitational

The IU track and field squads were able to find success within the comfort of their home facility Friday at the Billy Hayes Invitational. \nFreshman Vera Neuenswander set a new school record in the pole vault and both of the men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay teams qualified for the NCAA regional meet in Columbia, Mo., on May 25.\nNeuenswander is now the number one ranking freshman nationwide in the pole vault and ranks sixth \noverall after clearing 4.12 meters. The clearance improved her regional qualifying mark 3.95 meters while setting a new IU record. The previous record was 3.96 meters, set by Emily Tharpe in 2002 at the same meet.\n“Vera had a good night,” interim women’s head coach Judy Wilson said in a statement Friday. “She’s confident and ready for Big Tens and is primed to better her indoor season. She’s not afraid to go out and compete.”\nNeuenswander’s vaulting teammates on the men’s squad gathered two more regional qualifying times. Sophomores Blayne Burkholder and Jeff Coover finished first and second respectively. Both cleared 5.05 meters, but Burkholder earned first because he cleared that mark in fewer attempts.\nWith sophomore sprinter Wil Glover recovering from an injury, two-sport athlete in football and track junior Marcus Thigpen has had to take over his leg of the 4x100-meter relay. \nThigpen was not faltered by this task on Friday. He and his relay members – juniors Keith Heerdegen, Jacob Moylan and senior Kiwan Lawson\n finished first. Their time of 40.51 seconds qualified them for the regional meet.\n“I am excited,” interim men’s head coach Wayne Pate said in a statement. “All four of those guys ran really well. Anytime you can get a relay in a regional meet is exciting. It’s really good to be in the mix and hopefully they can advance and do something at nationals.”\nThigpen also won the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.70 seconds. His football teammate, senior first-year runner Tracy Porter finished 21st with a time of 11.34 seconds.\n“Coach (George) Freeman has done an excellent job with our sprinters,” Pate said in a statement. “It’s really great to have football players make an impact on our program. Marcus is doing a great job. He’s got of a lot speed and coach Freeman has done a really good job in developing that. That benefits both sports.”\nThe women’s 4x100-meter relay squad also recorded a regional qualifying mark. The team, comprised of senior Stacey Clausing, \nsenior Lorian Price, and juniors Kyndal Carr and Zakiya Robinson, recorded a first place finish with a time 45.30 seconds.\nClausing also competed in the 200-meter dash where she earned herself a second regional qualifying mark of the night. She recorded a time of 23.93 seconds placing her first. Not done there, Clausing also competed in the 100-meter dash where she finished second place with a time of 11.97 seconds. \nClausing has now qualified individually in the 200- and 400-meter dashes and with the 4x100-meter relay squad. \n“Stacey just showed tonight that she’s the ultimate team player,” Wilson said in a statement. “She’s getting herself ready for the Big Ten meet. I think she, along with some of the other seniors, have come on at the end. I think they are going to be ready to go.”\nThe Billy Hayes invite served as a warm-up for the Hoosiers. The teams will travel to Penn State May 11 for the Big Ten outdoor championships.