AMES, Iowa - A long day was coming to a close and the crowd was just getting energized. That crowd, of course, being members of the Ashford University track and field squad.
They were on their feet for freshman thrower Spencer Touchie of Hometown, Ill., who was serenaded with hooting and hollering from his teammates as he provisionally qualified for the NAIA National Indoor Championships in the shot put.
Touchie's record-breaking hurl in his collegiate debut was just one of many records that were shattered in AU's indoor debut at the Iowa State University Holiday Classic on Friday.
He shattered Keith Bradley's 10-year indoor standing mark of 13.48 meters in the shot put with an attempt of 15.26 meters to finish seventh in a crowded field.
"It was great to have all my teammates around me while throwing because I haven't had that before," Touchie said. "It feels crazy to qualify for indoor nationals in my first collegiate meet and it's more than I could have ever asked for."
A total of five records were broken on the men's side, including Touchie's shot put effort, capping a stellar indoor debut for the Saints.
Sophomore Austin Gilbert broke a near 10-year record in the 300-meter dash, finishing sixth with a time of 35:24.
Sophomore Robert Phillips of Clinton became AU's new record holder in the 600-yard run, breaking current teammate Ademola Are's record by over two seconds.
NAIA National Cross Country qualifier Andrew Drinkall of Hooppole, Ill., also etched his name in the record books by the 800-meter run, breaking a near decade-long mark by Curtis Vais. Drinkall clocked in at 1:58.61, good for sixth.
Senior Franklin Barnes of Chicago, Drinkall, Phillips and Gilbert, each took part in a new school record in the 4x300-meter relay, crossing the line at 2:26.31.
Sophomore A.J. Smith of Port Byron, Ill., was runner-up in the high jump (1.94, just 0.4 meters shy of the school record set by Aaron Burns in 2006.
Freshman Aleksander Jakobsen of Rock Island, Ill., also competed in the 3,000-meter racewalk, the school's first ever event. Jakobsen, also a cross-country runner, had to wait nearly eight hours for the meet's final event.
After leading for the first few laps, Jakobsen started to feel fatigue set in and was unfortunately disqualified on his final lap.
"I was getting a little restless throughout the day and was nervous," Jakobsen said. "I'm glad I have my first racewalk event under my belt because now I know what to expect."
The Saints will debut 2010 at the Carthage Open on Jan. 9 in Kenosha, Wis.
Shot Put - Spencer Touchie (15.26m)
300-Meter Dash - Austin Gilbert (35.24)
600-Yard Run - Robert Phillips (1:16.28)
800-Meter Run - Andrew Drinkall (1:58.61)
4x300-Meter Relay - Franklin Barnes, Andrew Drinkall, Robert Phillips, Austin Gilbert (2:26.31)
