RESULTS

HOLLAND, Mich. – Calvin used a 2-4-5 finish in the grueling decathlon to score 17 early points for the MIAA Championships competition. The decathlon is a part of the full MIAA Championships competition with the multi-events for the championships taking place just over a week prior to the MIAA Championships competition set for April 30 and May 1.

Junior Zach Van Baren (Hudsonville, Mich./Covenant Christian HS) fought through nagging injuries to lead the way for the Knights to take second in the two-day, 10-event set with a career-best total of 6,072 points. Sophomore Rhys Bedford (Delton, Mich./Delton Kellogg HS) put together a strong two-day set to place fourth with a career-best total of 5,554 points. Junior Jarrett Febus (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) surprised the field to take fifth with a career-best total of 5,446 points.

Tuesday's competition opened with the 110 high hurdles. Bedford had the second-best time in 15.02 for 847 points. Van Baren was third in 15.26 points for 818 points with Febus running a career-best time of 17.89 for 10^th place and 535 points.

The meet then shifted to the discus ring. Van Baren cranked out a career-best throw of 129-0 in the competition for second place and 651 points. Febus came up with a clutch throw on his third and final attempt, tossing a career-best mark of 104-0 for 498 points. Bedford had a throw of 69-11 that earned 297 points.

Athletes made the short walk over to the pole vault pit with winds whipping off nearby Lake Michigan making the event treacherous. Bedford took seventh in the field of 14 however with a vault of 10-0 that earned him 369 points. Febus came up with a pair of clutch clearances to reach 10-8 for fourth place and 418 points. Van Baren topped the field with a vault of 12-11 ½ for 603 points.

The javelin was the second-to-last event. Bedford was 12^th with a throw of 106-8 that earned him 335 points. Van Baren came up with a career-best throw of 134-9 for seventh place and 458 points. Febus came up clutch again, delivering a career-best throw of 152-6 on his third and final attempt. The throw was good for fourth place and earned 537 points.

The final event was the 1500 meter run with Febus sitting in fifth, Bedford in fourth and Van Baren in second heading into the race. The Calvin trio held their places with strong races. With competitors lapping at his heels, Febus broke from the pack and chased the leader, finishing second in a career-best time of 4:57.84 that earned him 572 points. Bedford delivered a personal-best time of 5:13.31 that was good for eighth place and 486 points. Van Baren gritted through pain to finish 12^th in a time of 5:24.68 that earned him 426 points and allowed him to hold second place.

Hope went 1-3-6-8 to earn 20 points in the competition. The Knights trail the Flying Dutchmen by four points heading into MIAA Championships competition next week.

COACHES COMMENT: "Really happy with our performances," said Calvin head track and field coach Adam Haldorson. "Heading into this event, we thought we might be down anywhere from 5-8 points head into next week but we made up more ground that we anticipated. Zach had a very gritty two days. He wasn't at his best but he found a way to compete to the best of his ability. He had a great second day and made up a lot of ground. Rhys had an exciting two days and performed very well. Jarrett was the huge surprise. We were hoping in a best-case scenario that he could sneak out eighth place for us but he refused to settle for that and pushed right through any supposed barriers. It was exciting to see him come up with career-bests in almost every one of his events and compete with determination. We found a new decathlete with him and are excited for him."

NEXT UP: The MIAA Championships are scheduled April 30 and May 1 at Hope. Prior to that, Calvin will compete at Grand Valley on Saturday at the GVSU Extra Weekend Meet at noon.