Kaiser breaks long jump record at Susquehanna U. Open
After a record-setting performance at the Susquehanna University Open, First-year David Kaiser was named the Centennial Conference Player of the Week.
By Emily Kleinburd, Staff Writer
In just his first year competing in track and field at Gettysburg College First Year David Kaiser broke the long jump school record at the Susquehanna University Open on Friday, Feb. 15. His jump of 21-10 ¼ surpassed the previous record set by Erik Lambertsen, ‘04 by four inches. The meet was attended by both Division II and III schools, highlighting record performances from Senior Andrew Bay and First-year Katie Cavanaugh.
Kaiser placed third among 33 competitors and was the top Division III finisher. He now ranks second in the long jump in the Centennial Conference. Kaiser also set his collegiate personal record (PR) of 41-8 in the triple jump, placing him in third all-time in the Gettysburg record books. The honor was not taken lightly by Kaiser, who said, “It feels like such an accomplishment; all the training is finally paying off.”
Bay and Cavanaugh broke their own personal records during this meet. Bay finished fifth of 46 competitors and second of the Division III competitors in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.26, just beating his previous time of 7.29, a goal that he had his sights on for a long time. “Beating my school record this past weekend was a great feeling,” Andrew Bay said. “I originally set it at the end of my Sophomore indoor season and have been unable to top it until now. If anything, it has been a mental hurdle for me to beat my old time for most of this season, but I am happy I finally did. It’s a big confidence booster going into the Conference Championship this coming weekend.”
Katie Cavanaugh placed second of 42 and was the top Division III finisher in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking in at 9.25, a mere 0.02 less than her previously held record. She is currently ranked third in the event in the Centennial Conference. “I was really excited that I broke the school record and it’s even more exciting to try and improve my times each week,” Carvanaugh said. “Running personal bests in both individual races and relays makes even the hardest practices pay off.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams had additional athletes place in the top ten for their respective events. For the men, First-year Steve Avino tied for seventh in the high jump at a height of 5-10 and placed tenth (third among Division III athletes) in the 60-meter hurdles with a PR of 8.96. Senior Joe Sharp finished eighth of 53 competitors (second among the Division III competitors) in the 800-meter run, recording a season-best 1:58.85. First-year Noah Rossiter came in tenth in the 5,000-meter run with a PR of 16:22.61.
On the women’s side, First-year Claire Benoist d’Etiveaud finished in the top ten in two events. She placed sixth in the high jump, tying her PR of 4-11 ¾ and ninth in the long jump at 15-1 ½. Classmate Katie McCoubrie finished fifth in the triple jump at 33- ½.
With the biggest day of the season in the Centennial Conference Championship arriving fast this Saturday, the Bullets begin final preparations for the big event. “This week of practice will be pretty simple,” Andrew Bay said. “We’re focused on making sure our bodies are healthy and able to compete at a higher level.”
Cavanaugh affirmed and did not contain her excitement for the big day. “A lot of people on the team qualified for Conferences this season, and the coaches have put together specific workouts to prepare for this meet,” Cavanaugh said. “We’ve all been working hard and pushing each other, so hopefully this weekend it will show!”
