Beckwith runs record 800m at invitational

A two-hour lightning and pouring rain delay made the track resemble a swimming pool.

Neither one deterred the IU men’s and women’s track and field teams Friday night at the Billy Hayes Invitational.

Instead of being held back by the weather, the Hoosiers excelled and had their best meet of the season.

The meet was highlighted by junior Molly Beckwith, who had the fastest 800-meter run in the NCAA this season.

Beckwith credited her record run to having help from a special source.

“I had my training partner rabbiting me throughout the race,” Beckwith said, referring to when a lead runner intentionally sets a fast pace for a teammate. “That helped a lot and it calmed me down to have her in front of me.”

Career best results also came from freshman Derek Drouin in the high jump, senior Paul Fearnow in the hammer throw, senior Wil Glover in the 100-meter dash, senior Tiffany Howard in the shot put and junior Vera Neuenswander in the pole vault.

IU coach Ron Helmer said the most remarkable aspect of the Hoosiers’ production was the fact that it came after an extended period of mental stress.

“The most impressive thing is that the great performances came at the end of a long week of exams,” Helmer said. “It is not always easy for people to get composed after exams.”