The WVIAC track and field championships have completed the multi-events with one of the most spectacular finishes in league history.
GLENVILLE, W. Va. – In one of the best finishes ever in the men’s decathlon two competitors, Seton Hill’s Josh Fouse and Wheeling Jesuit’s Craig Neiswanger, found themselves tied and a third, defending champion Cuylor Edgell of WV Wesleyan, 221 points down with 1500m remaining. With an event record-setting time of 4:26.68, Edgell came back to capture the WVIAC men’s decathlon for the second year by a margin of two points (6389) while Fouse finished second (6387) and Craig Neiswanger finished third (6381). Each of the top three set a personal goal themselves as they each hit an NCAA provisional mark in the decathlon.
Edgell set a new WVIAC meet record in the decathlon scoring 6389 points, better the previous record that he owned of 6313 pts. Three event records were set over the two days as Edgell bettered his previous long jump record of 6.72m (22’0.75”) with a leap of 6.78m (22’3) and in the 1500m. Glenville State’s Mario Wright set a new event record in the high jump with a height of 1.97m (6’5.5”) better the previous mark held by GSC’s Jordan Swigger (1.94m, 6’4.25”).
Team points heading into next week’s track and field portion of the meet for the men sees WV Wesleyan in first place with 12 points, Seton Hill in second with 8 pts and Wheeling Jesuit in third with 6 points, and Glenville State in fourth with four points.
On the women’s side WV Wesleyan’s Ashli Knotts captured the WVIAC heptathlon crown with a score of 4306 points, setting a new WVIAC meet record. Erin Beattie, last year’s defending champion, finished second with 4286 points and WV Wesleyan’s Nikki Emborski finished third with 3963 points. Two events records were set over the two days with Concord’s Brittany Pratt posting a new record in the 200m (26.02), bettering the previous mark held by Karachi Mbagwu of Concord (26.12). Knotts also set an event record in the 800m run, besting her previous mark of 2:21.16 with a time of 2:17.63.
Team points heading into next week’s track and field portion of the meet for the women sees WV Wesleyan in first with 19 points, Seton Hill in second with eight points and Concord in third with four points.
Events look to get on their way starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 29th and continue on Saturday, April 30th at Wheeling Jesuit University.