Allendale, Michigan - The men's track and field team had a historic day at the Bill Clinger Classic this afternoon. At the conclusion of the meet, the men walked away with three automatic qualifiers, three provisional qualifiers, two school records, and many all time AQ ranks.
 
The most highlights from one event came from the 3000 Meter Run. Ben Hardy ran his way to a 16 second personal best with a time of 8:26 in the event. Not only did this earn him an automatic qualifier but it also stands as Aquinas' new school record. He knocks Scott Assenmacher out of first who ran 8:30 in 2006. Hardy now sits 12th in the event nationally. Then Matthew Schieber came in 10 seconds later with a time of 8:36 to take 13th in the race. This time puts him fourth all time AQ history. Three seconds behind him came Connor Callahan who placed 17th with a time of 8:39. He ranks seventh in Aquinas history. These performances shattered the AQ Record board as it now reads as followed:

1. Ben Hardy                    8:26            2023
2. Scott Assenmacher       8:30          2006
3. Pat Weiler                     8:34           1977
4. Matthew Schieber         8:36            2023
5. Chris Robertz                8:37            2008
6. Gannon Foley                8:38            2018
7. Connor Callahan            8:39            2023

 
School records continued to fall as freshman Nathan Iacona made his mark on Aquinas history in the 400-meter dash. In his third open 400 while at AQ, Iacona ran a time of 48.88 to break De-Ale-Jo Roberts' (2003) previous record of 49.15. This time earned him a provisional qualifier as he now ranks 14th in the nation in the event. Iacona would then run the 4x4 relay alongside Cyrus Prudhomme, Jacob Tenbusch, and Caleb Hodgkinson. The quartet would race to a provisional time of 3:18.32 in the event. This time puts them right outside AQ's top five list.
 
Earlier in the afternoon, Caleb Hodgkinson would find a new gear in the 800 Meter Run as he earned a new personal record of 1:52.71. His time earned him an NAIA 'A' Standard and he currently ranks third in the nation. Not only third in the nation, but also third in AQ history as he surpasses Dustin Heller (1:52.78) and assistant coach Nick Thelen (1:53.94). Will Finch also hit a provisional standard in the event with a time of 1:54.76.
 
The final highlight of the day came from Jesunifemi Ojutalayo in the Triple Jump. With a jump of 14.67 meters, he not only won the meet and hit an automatic standard, but now he ranks third in Aquinas history. He surpasses Joe Applewhite (1994) and Henry Holmes (2003) on the all-time list. Ojutalayo ranks sixth in the nation currently.
 
AQ moves through another weekend of competition, and they now look ahead to the GR Sports Hall of Fame Classic. The meet will be hosted in the Alksnis Athletics & Recreation Building on campus. Events are projected to begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, February 3.