Seward, Rohr star in 3,200 at Purdue indoor meet

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Track

Twelve members of the Rochester track team, including six girls and six boys, recorded personal bests at the season-opening indoor meet at Lambert Fieldhouse at Purdue University in West Lafayette Saturday.

They included Zoe Seward, who ran an 11:31.25 in the 3,200 meters, a nearly 30-second improvement from her 2022 time at the indoor state finals in Bloomington.

Other girls setting personal bests included Kendyll Bradley, who ran the 800 in 2:46.21; Allyson Calloway, who ran the 1,600 in 6:25.81; Isabel Dunwoody, who ran the 400 in 1:13.32; Audrey Wagner, who ran the 400 in 1:09.93; and Lilly Watson, who ran the 55 in 8.09 seconds.

“Her time was down slightly from the 7.94 she ran at Lambert last year,” Rochester coach Ryan Helt said in a statement. “The discrepancy came down to a shaky block start this time around. However, her slower time still is faster than all RHS athletes over the past decade except for Kenzie Bradley, Kami Burkett and her own finish last year.”

Meanwhile, Chris Rohr ran a 10:35.54 in the boys 3,200 to set a personal best. That was a 22.99-second improvement from his 2022 time in the event.

“His improvement is impressive and stands as evidence of the hard work he has put in since last season,” Helt said.

Other Rochester boys setting personal bests included D.J. Basham, who ran the 55 in 7.21 seconds; Maddox Jewell, who ran the 200 in 26.31 seconds; and Wes Steininger, Lane Shank and Reece Johnson, all of whom set personal marks in the 1,600.

Steininger ran a 5:05.75, Shank ran a 5:19.79, and Johnson ran a 5:25.43.

“Over the past decade, only Zach Pickens has run a faster indoor 200 as a sophomore,” Helt said. “It should be noted that blocks were not allowed in the event, resulting in slower finish times for competitors.”

The team will have another indoor qualifier at Indiana Wesleyan at 10 a.m. this Saturday.

The outdoor season begins with a meet at Plymouth at 5 p.m. March 31.