Hoosiers post career marks despite delays at Polytan Invitational

Despite battling the rain and professional athletes during the weekend, the IU track and field team was able to post winning marks at the Polytan Invitational.

After a four-hour weather delay for lightning, the Hoosiers saw strong performances Friday.

Sarah Pease placed as the highest collegiate athlete in the women’s 5,000 meters. Her time of 16:31.68 was second only to professional runner Mason Cathey.

The Hoosiers continued to climb up the school record books in the 4x100 meter relay. Tyler Sult, Kind Butler, Chris Vaughn and Devin Pipkin won the race with a time of 40.16 seconds, but the time also was the sixth best in school history.

Weather delays continued Saturday afternoon but did not faze the Hoosiers.

After being postponed Friday, senior Kristen Crawford opened the day for the Hoosiers, winning the hammer throw. Her throw of 55.2 meters is a career-best and second in the IU record book.

Sophomore Aireonna Bailey continued her impressive season. She posted a come-from-behind finish in the 100-meter race, crossing the finish line first at 11.93 seconds. She then came back to help the Hoosiers win in the 4x400m relay with a time of 3:40.49.

De’Sean Turner won the men’s 800 meters with a time of 1:50.50 while Danny Stockberger came in second at 1:51.71.

Two-tenths of a second separated Kind Butler’s time on Saturday from his career best in the 200 meters, with a time of 21.24 seconds.

The Hoosier throwers also hit their stride during the weekend.

Senior Tommy Smith took the men’s shot put with a career-best throw of 16.65 meters before Faith Sherrill won the women’s shot put with her throw of 17.40 meters. Sherrill continued her successful afternoon in the discus, winning with a throw of 48.05 meters.

— Matt Smith