The Hillsdale College men's track and field team kicked off the 2023-24 indoor season in style with several strong performances at the Oiler Opener hosted on Thursday and Friday by the University of Findlay.
Leading the way for the Chargers in the field was returning All-American and sophomore Ben Haas, who set an early-season marker with a victory in the weight throw thanks to a throw of 20.39 meters. That mark, a NCAA DII provisional qualifying mark and currently the best throw at the NCAA DII level early in the season, is well ahead of where Haas started the 2022-23 season and marks the sophomore down as a true national title contender in the spring if he stays healthy and continues to improve. Haas also placed sixth in the shot put with a throw of 15.18 meters.
Haas wasn't the only standout for Hillsdale. Junior Cass Dobrowolski also had a solid opening in the high jump, tying for second with a clearance of 1.98 meters as he looks to make his first indoor national meet in 2024.
Another former All-American for Hillsdale who missed most of last season with an injury, junior Sean Fagan, also had a great showing, placing second in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.43 in his first indoor race since early last season. Sophomore Colsen Conway took fourth in the 60m hurdles as well with a time of 8.50, and Dobrowolski placed seventh in 8.79.
Also earning a runner-up finish for Hillsdale was sophomore Seth Jankowski in the 800m run, as Jankowski placed second in 1:56.67. He was one of three Chargers to place in the 800, as sophomore Mark Masaka took fourth for Hillsdale in 2:03.45, and freshman Rhys Woodard placed sixth in 2:08.06.
In the sprints, senior Benu Meintjes was third in the 400m dash with a solid time of 50.84, while junior Owen Gardner placed third in the 60m dash in 7.06, just ahead of junior Jamahl Burke who took fourth in 7.08.
Hillsdale is now off until after the Christmas Break, and will return to action on Jan. 12 with a dual meet against Findlay back in Findlay, Ohio.