Track & Field | 2/14/2026 9:42:00 PM

Oberlin, Ohio - Anna Fritz and Namu Makatiani of the Oberlin College track & field teams established two new program records as Fritz competed in the All-Ohio Championships, hosted by Otterbein, and Makatiani competed in the Music City Challenge, hosted by Division I Vanderbilt. At the All-Ohio Championships, Oberlin competed against fellow NCAC teams Denison, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, and Wooster. The men's team tallied four podium finishes and three personal bests, while the women's team notched two and one, respectively. 

Fritz started the day for the Crimson and Gold securing a win, school record, and huge personal best in the women's long jump. The senior leaped to consecutive personal bests, jumping 5.43m twice before soaring to a mark of 5.56m, shattering Annie Goodridge's record of 5.48m from 2016. Fritz had nothing but good things to say about the day. "Today was really fun. I've been working towards this since freshman year, so it felt so great to finally see the results I've been waiting for. The team has been looking very strong this season, and I can't wait to bring the momentum into the conference championships!"

Down in the Music City, Makatiani surpassed the men's indoor triple jump record, registering a mark of 14.81m on his first attempt. His mark of 14.81m surpasses the program record he set earlier this season of 14.55m in the season opener hosted at Case Western Reserve. Placing sixth overall, Makatiani was the only Division III athlete in the competitive field and surpassed the performance of a South Atlantic Conference (Division II) champion. 

"To have two jumpers set school records in separate time zones on the same day is such a great testament to the interconnectedness of this team," Head Coach Ben Wach adds. "Namu and anna spend so much time working together. It's wonderful to see all their work pay off." 

Feeling Fritz's energy back in Ohio, third-year Dane Mentore launched his way to the podium in the men's triple jump, placing third with a mark of 13.32m.

The women's distance medley relay started the meet off strong for the Yeowomen, composed of first-year Lieke Everts and seniors Clara Smith, Ella Wozek, and Amber Borofsky. The team took second in a photo finish, running a collective time of 12:52. Especially notable was Wozek's contribution in the 800m leg of the relay, where the senior blitzed past competition, securing a split of 2:19. 

The two Yeomen competing in the men's mile showed up to perform this evening, with the fourth-year and first-year duo of Liam Newman and Cooper Tanski putting up podium finishes again. The senior battled it out to take silver in 4:19, while Tanski closed with an impressive kick to take bronze with a 4:23. Tanski's time lands him on Oberlin's All-Time list in the event. Newman came back in a notoriously difficult double to run the 800m. The senior made the podium again, taking third with a 1:58.

Will Gordon dipped under the nine-minute barrier in the men's 3,000m for the first time in his career, running a gutsy 8:59 to take third in his heat. Not to be outdone, Piers Shirk squeezed the last kilometer, running a blistering bell lap to take the overall win in 8:45. 

In the final event of the evening, third-year Armand Andry and classmates George Buckman, Kai Bell-Torres, and Cooper Tanski posted a season record for the Yeomen in the men's 4x400m relay with a time of 3:28. Matching the men's squad with another season record in the 4x400m, the women's team of second-year Yrva Desormeaux, Smith, first-year Val Harris, and Wozek collectively put up a time of 4:19.

"We had seniors placing on podiums, personal bests, and a group of first years, sophomores, and juniors making their way to the podium," Wach continues. "The seniors are literally leading the way for their younger teammates, and that's awesome to see." 

Some of the Oberlin squad will return to action on Friday, February 20, at the Ed Finnegan Greater Cleveland Invitational, hosted at Case Western Reserve. The first event is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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