Bourbonnais, Ill. – The Wheaton track and field teams opened their season successfully on Saturday at Olivet Nazarene's "ONU Holiday Invitational." Although no team scores were kept many individual members of the team made noteworthy finishes.
 
The standout of the day for the Thunder men's team goes to Ian Rothery who finished first in the men's 400-meter run. His victorious time was clocked at 51.74. In addition to his victory, Rothery also placed fifth in the men's 200-meter dash with a time of 23.04. A triumphant day to say the least for Rothery.
 
The men's team continued in their success with Jeremy Earnst and Isaiah Clausen competing in the men's long jump. Earnst was marked at 6.23-meters for a sixth-place finish. Clausen was marked at 6.51-meters for in second place. Clausen was not quite done with his successful day. He competed in the men's pole vault placing fourth with a mark of 3.90-meters.
 
James Cummings joined in on the action competing in the men's high jump. He was marked at 1.81-meters and 5' 11-1/4". This standout effort placed Cummings in second for the event.
 
The men's team was not quite done with their successful runs on the day. Dolan Bair and Isaiah Clausen competed in the men's 60-meter hurdles placing both second (Bair) and fourth (Clausen). Clausen had a time of 8.58-seconds while Bair notably finished with a time of 9.34-seconds.  
 
In addition to the men's success the women's team had four standout events on Saturday.
 
Sadie Richert had quite the day for the Thunder. She competed in the 800-meter run with a strong second place finish. Her finish resulted in a time of 2:37.77. However, Richert was not alone. Meredith Eisses joined in on the act with a fourth-place finish and an effort of 2:39.93. Two outstanding times for the Thunder.
 
Amy Keane was yet another positive addition to the day. She competed in the 60-meter hurdles with a final finish time of 9.38-seconds, placing her in fourth. Her speedy time topped her preliminary time of 9.68-seconds. In addition, Keane also competed in the long jump with a mark of 5.21-meters. This marked put her in fourth place for the event.
 
Richert and M. Eisses were back for another event picking up two teammates Olivia Eisses and Crystelle VanWingerden for the 4X400-meter relay race. This powerful team placed third with a time of 4:30.39.
 
The Thunder track teams return to action on Friday, January 27. This event will take place in Aurora, Ill. for the "Aurora Grand PRIX" event.