Former Happy Valley standout Brianna Buck claimed another Appalachian Athletic Conference title on Friday during the first day of the AAC Championships at Montreal College. Buck’s title was one of four claimed by Milligan Track and Field Athletes on the first day of the event.
The sophomore Buck claimed her second straight AAC outdoor title in the women’s high jump. Buck’s jump of 1.62 marked her third time over 1.60m this season.
Other Milligan titles included Indoor All-American Liz Maller as she won the women’s hammer throw with a new Milligan and AAC record of 51.97m which ranks seventh nationally. Maller also finished runner up in the women’s shot put with a mark of 12.19m.
Freshman indoor national champion Nathan Baker won the 1500m title with a time of 4:04. Sophomore Mitch Bronstetter followed in second with a time of 4:06. Fellow sophomore Seth Nicol finished with a personal best of 4:11 placing sixth overall while freshman Tim Thacker followed in eighth with a time of 4:14.
The men’s 4X800m relay squad featuring Thacker, Jordan Murray, Bronstetter and Baker claimed the conference title finishing a whole six seconds ahead of the runner-up (8:06.10).
The women’s 4X800m relay featuring Katlyn Haas, Valentina Kenyeres, Hannah Bell and Stephanie Coffey finished runner-up with a time of 10:04.50.
Freshman Stephanie Wisse also finished runner-up in the 100m hurdles with a time of 15.44.
Three Buffs placed finished top five in the men’s high jump. Senior Mark Stair took third clearing a season best of 2.00m for a podium finish, Mike Featherston followed in fourth with a lifetime best of 1.90m and Jarad Turpen claimed fourth with a lifetime best of 1.90m.
Freshman Maci Shell ran to a new personal best of 5.12, shaving off a whole 10 seconds, in the women’s 1500m.
Another freshman finished top five. Ronan Philippot took fourth in the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 15.25.
Freshman Tyler Bates and sophomore Cory Aulich both ran to lifetime bests in the men’s 10k with times of 33:50 and 33:51 with Bates closing in 5:00 for the last mile.
Following Maller in the women’s shot put was freshman Jessica Hibbitts in ninth with a personal best of 9.98m.
Day two of the AAC Championships will take place at Montreat College Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
Photo courtesy of Natalia Rivas/Milligan College.
