Eagles Track and Field Competes in RSC Tournament: Owens Takes Gold, Schreck Takes Bronze

Rio Grande OH: St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) College won the 2023 River States Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship title for the first time, while Point Park (Pa.) University made it back-to-back outdoor titles by claiming the 2023 River States Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The event was held Friday-Saturday, April 28-29, at Rio Grande (Ohio) and co-hosted by Ohio Christian.

Hope McGuire of St. Mary of the Wood and Daimere Stephens-Stewart claimed RSC Women's/ Men's Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Year. The top three finishers in each event and relay earned all-conference honors. The top eight placements in each event earned points for their team.

In women's action, the Lady Eagles finished in eleventh place, as they earned 10 team points.

In the javelin throw, Riley Schreck was the performer of the day as she finished third out of twenty-three total participants. Her season-best heave of 33.38m earned her a bronze medal and First-Team All-Conference selection. She also brought home six points for the squad.

Sarah Cecil finished sixth in the 400m hurdles, as her time of 1:12.27 earned the squad three nice points.

Suzanne Moore also earned one point for the squad as she finished eighth in the steeplechase (14:16.32)

On the men's side of things, the Eagles finished with 27 points, which earned them seventh place.

Dakota Owens had the performance of the day, as he earned an impressive first-place finish out of twenty competitors in the 400m dash. His eye-opening time of 48:53 was .1.71 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor and earned him a gold medal and First Team All-Conference selection. He was only .08 seconds from the conference record in the event and also set a new ALC record for the event.

In addition, the speedster also earned All-Conference in the 200m dash, as he brought home the silver medal. His time of 22.02sec was good enough for third out of twenty-seven athletes and less than .5 seconds from first. Finally, Owens finished sixth out of twenty-three individuals in the 100m dash. His time of 10:98 was only .32 seconds below first. He earned 19 total points for the club.

In the high jump, Gerald Bentley soared to a height of 1.85M to earn fourth place out of thirteen athletes, just missing a silver medal. He did earn 5 points for the club.

Also scoring was Andre Harless, who finished seventh in the 400m hurdles. His time of 1:01.51 was worth two points.

Finally, the men's 4x400m relay squad finished eighth in a time of 3:38.28. This earned the final point for the squad.

Also named was the RSC Women's/ Men's Outdoor Track & Field Champions of Character Team. This honors one member of each team who best displays the NAIA five character traits of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. For ALC, Bethany Butler and Dakota Owens received this honor

In addition, the RSC Women's/ Men's Outdoor Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Team recognized outstanding students with a 3.25+ GPA who have been at their current school for more than two semesters. ALC had thirteen total athletes receive this honor.

FINAL WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS

1. St. Mary-of-the-Woods 168
2. Point Park 164
3. Rio Grande 129
4. Indiana Kokomo 99
5. Midway 79
6. Brescia 68
7. Carlow 57.5
8. Indiana East 36.5
9. WVU Tech 15
10. Ohio Christian 14
11. Alice Lloyd 10

RSC WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER TEAM

RSC WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAM

2023 RIVER STATES CONFERENCE MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1. Point Park 270
2. Rio Grande 152
3. Indiana East 133
4. Indiana Kokomo 99.5
5. Midway 74.5
6. St. Mary-of-the-Woods 33
7. Alice Lloyd 27
8. Carlow 24
9. WVU Tech 14
10. Brescia 11
10. Ohio Christian 11

RSC MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER TEAM

RSC MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAM

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