Persinger, Hunt notch wins for RedStorm

Rio Grande Sports Information
     MUSKINGUM, Ohio - Danuel Persinger and Travis Hunt posted first place finishes to lead the University of Rio Grande men's track and field team in the Muskie Pride Meet hosted by Muskingum University, Saturday afternoon, at the Bullock Health and Wellness Complex.
     Persinger, a sophomore from Bidwell, Ohio, won the 1000-meter run with a time of 2:42.15, while Hunt - a junior from New Paris, Ohio - took top honors in the triple jump with a leap of 42-10.75. Persinger was also fourth in the mile run with a time of 4:40.70.
     As a team, the RedStorm placed sixth in the nine-team field with 74 points.
     West Liberty University won the team title with 145 points, while Washington & Jefferson (124 pts.) and Denison University (107.5 pts.).
     Four others posted a pair of scoring finishes for Rio.
     Freshman Tyler Jenkins (Barnesville, OH) was the runner-up in both the 1000-meter run (2:46.07) and the mile run (4:32.29); sophomore Skylar Gries (Williamsburg, OH), who placed second in the pole vault after clearing 14-05.25 and fifth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.19; junior Kyle Lightner (Peebles, OH), who was fourth in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:28.68 and sixth in the 400-meter dash after crossing the finish line in 55.78; and freshman Daunevyn Woodson (Gallipolis, OH), who was sixth in the long jump with a leap covering 21-01.50 and seventh in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.19.
     Other scoring finishes for the RedStorm came from junior Haden Karshner (Circleville, OH), who was sixth in the weight throw with an effort of 43-10.00 and from freshman Hunter Blagg (Ironton, OH), who placed eight in the pole vault after clearing 10-06.00.
     The 4x200 relay team - comprised of sophomore Nathaniel Davis (Pitsburg, OH), freshman Casey Doerr (Wheelersburg, OH), junior Holden Fritz (Canton, OH) and Woodson - placed fifth with a time of 1:37.84.
     Rio Grande returns to action on Saturday at the Otterbein Invitational in Westerville, Ohio.
     Events get underway at 11 a.m.