Heidelberg's track team was able to make the most of its trip to the Division III Track and Field Championships, coming home with four All-Americans.
HU's Nate Davis led the four, placing seventh in the high jump by clearing 6-9. Josh Lynch (triple jump), Joe Yoder (400 hurdles) and Marian Bevington (long jump) all placed eighth. Bevington also ran 10th in the 100 hurdles.
Heidelberg track coach Briana Hess, a Seneca East graduate, praised all of the finishes, though she admitted some, like Davis, had hoped to do better.
"Nate is one of those athletes who's a true athlete, there's no doubt he could have done better," she said. "On a perfect day he's the best high jumper in the nation. He got really pumped, it can help you and hurt you. He was confident and ready to go, it just didn't pan out at the right time. But being seventh, and All-American, nothing to complain out."
Lynch, a junior, had a personal record in the triple jump, going 48-7 1/2. Going into the event, he was ranked 15th.
"Josh was probably one of the most impressive in my opinion," Hess said. "He was the prime example of what happens if you put it all together at the right time. He really wanted it and it definitely showed."
Yoder, a senior, competed in his final race at HU, finishing the 400 hurdles in 52.67. Hess said Yoder went into the race with big expectations.
"He knew on his best day, he could be a national champion," Hess said. "He took it out, ready to do everything he could. It shows a lot of guts, shows how good he thinks he is."
Hess said the program is hoping to have Yoder back next year as a graduate assistant.
Bevington finished the long jump with a leap of 19-0 1/2, and ran the 100 hurdles in 14.32.
"Most kids can't make it to nationals in one event. For her to make it in two shows you how (good) she is," Hess said. "I haven't seen very many athletes like her. She just gets after it."
IT'S COACHING: Columbian graduate Jamie Detillion, who went on to star as a pitcher and first baseman at Ashland, was named the head baseball coach at Grand Valley State last week.
Detillion had been an assistant with the Lakers for the last 10 years. He replaces Steve Lyon, who retired after this season.
