Bexley, Ohio – March 11, 2011 - Sophomore long jumper Marian Bevington (Celina, Ohio / Parkway), a member of the Heidelberg University women's track and field teams, participated in the 2011 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships today. The event is hosted by Capital University, located inside Capital Center Fieldhouse.
Bevington finished 12th with a leap of 17’5.25”. Bevington is only the third indoor national qualifier in Heidelberg women’s track and field history. All-American Judy Bataille (55 meter dash) and Tomika Brown (long jump) are the other two.
“I was glad I made nationals,” said Bevington. “I had higher expectations for myself, but I’m glad I’m here.“
Earning first place with a leap of 19’5.5” was Methodist University’s Ashlynn Chavis. Taking second was Wartburg College’s Skye Morrison (19’4”), while Illinois College’s Melissa Norville was third (19’0.5”).
This marks Bevington’s second trip to the national stage, first in indoor competition. She earned All-American honors in outdoor long jump a season ago.
Bevington’s leap of 18’2.5” at the 2011 Ohio Athletic Relays on Jan. 25 marked not only the provisional mark she needed to qualify for this year’s nationals, but it was also her career best in indoor competition. All season long, she flirted with breaking the Heidelberg long jump record of 18’2.75” set by Monica Scott in 1985.
“I’m hoping to make nationals every year," Bevington said. "Like everyone else, I want to win and that’s my goal.”
Heidelberg junior Joe Yoder (West Liberty, Ohio / West Liberty Salem) will compete in the men’s pentathlon tomorrow, March 12, starting at 9:00 a.m.
For up-to-date information on the nationals (including live stats, photos, and video) go to the championship website here.