Hope College freshman Lincoln Phillips recorded a runner-up performance in the heptathlon during the two-day MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships this week at Alma College.
Phillips (Dorr, Michigan / Hamilton) posted a second-place, seven-event total of 4,378 points between Monday and Tuesday and earned eight points.
Head coach Jordan Bartolazzi said Philips demonstrated so much poise throughout his first heptathlon. Phillips placed behind only Calvin University junior Zach VanBaren, who topped the field of 13 with 4,878 points.
"He balances his enthusiastic love for the sport with a calm, composed demeanor — the perfect combination for a great combined event athlete," Bartolazoo said of Phillips. "He's competed at a very high level both days and has us so excited about his future as he continues to develop.
Hope scored 13 points from three competitors that will count toward the conference meet that will resume on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 27-28, at Trine University.
Freshman Josh Bruxvoort (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) took fifth among 12 entrants with 4,058 points and claimed four points for the Flying Dutchmen.Â
Senior John Wenderski (Livonia, Michigan / University of Detroit Jesuit) finished eighth with 3,819 points and earned one point. Freshman Madden Valentine (Archbold, Ohio / Archbold) was eighth with 3,468 points.
The 60 meters, long jump, shot put and high jump were held on Monday, the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1,000 meters on Tuesday.
In the 60 meters, Phillips posted Hope's top finish by placing fifth in 7.45 seconds, while Bruxvoort followed in eighth place in 7.59 seconds.
In the long jump, Bruxvoort delivered Hope's top finish with a third-place leap of 6.27 meters (20 feet, 7 inches). Phillips followed closely in fourth place at 6.21 meters (20 feet, 4.5 inches).
In the shot put, Wenderski recorded Hope's highest finish with a runner-up throw of 12.33 meters (40 feet, 5.5 inches). Phillips added the second-best Hope mark by placing fifth at 10.43 meters (34 feet, 2.75 inches).
In the pole vault, Phillips recorded Hope's top finish by placing fourth with a clearance of 3.05 meters (10 feet). Wenderski followed with a fifth-place finish at 2.95 meters (9 feet, 8 inches).
In the 60-meter hurdles, Phillips won in 8.55 seconds to secure 848 points, while Wenderski delivered the second-best Hope finish by placing fifth in 8.77 seconds.
In the high jump, Bruxvoort led Hope with a runner-up clearance of 1.84 meters (6 feet, 0.5 inches), while Phillips placed third after clearing 1.81 meters (5 feet, 11.25 inches).
In the 1000 meters, Bruxvoort posted Hope's top finish in the 1,000 meters by placing third with a time of 2:54.89. Phillips followed with a seventh-place finish in a time of 3:01.25.
Bartolazzi praised Bruxvoort for trying the heptathlon and coming up for the Flying Dutchmen.
"One week ago, we suggested he should try the multi, just in case he could score." Bartolazzi said. "Josh had only competed in two of the seven events, and he touched a pole vault pole for the first time last Wednesday. But knowing he could help our team, Josh volunteered to give it a try. None of us expected a fifth-place finish, highlighted by a remarkable first-time high jump and pole vault performances. Josh is an excellent teammate and totally embodies our "team first" mentality."
Hope will compete next at the GVSU Tune-Up on Friday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. in Allendale, Michigan.
