Yellow Jackets indoor track & field competes in first meet of season

FINDLAY, Ohio - Defiance College competed in its first indoor track & field meet of the season, which was much anticipated after two previously cancelled competitions. Instead of hosting at the Yellow Jacket's home, the Smart Center, the Purple and Gold took a trip southeast to Findlay where they competed in the 2025 Findlay Alumni Classic at the Robert A. Malcolm Athletic Center on Friday, hosted by the University of Findlay. 

Between field and running events, the Yellow Jacket men came in sixth, while the women did not place. Tyjon Mance was Defiance's trophy winner on the day, placing third in the men's 200-meter dash with a time of 23:81, and earning a third-place podium spot. 

Amanda Barnes competed in women's weight throwing as the first event of the day, placing 10th with a distance of 10.08 meters. On the men's side, David Heidelburg (14) and Cole Armstrong (18) both placed with distances of 12.49 meters and 10.42 meters, respectively. 

Rounding up the field events, Amira Knight placed 8th in long jump with a distance of 4.15 meters, while Lynsey Pease and Cole Armstrong competed and placed in shot put, earning 13th place with a 7.89 distance and 15th place with a 10.57 distance. 

Eight Yellow Jackets placed in running events, as follows:

Women's one mile run - Zawadi Debola, 14th place, time of 6:32

Men's 3000-meter run - Jake Stephens, 21st place, time of 11:18 

Women's 300-meter dash -  Mira Horvath, 16th place, time of 43:68… Israa Khamis, 25th place, time of  47:58… Shelby Clements, 25th place, time of 48:34

Men's 300-meter dash - Tyjon Mance, 13th place, time of 38:16

Women's 600-meter run - Adeline Niyonkunda, 10th place, time of 2:21 

Men's 600-meter run - Eli Fortman, 4th place, time of 1:33 

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets set out to Ashland, Ohio for the Ashland Invitational at Niss Athletic Center on Jan. 25. Events begin at 4 p.m.

-JACKETS-