Marietta, Ohio - After a month-long hiatus, the track and field Bears returned to action in a big way at the Marietta Open today. 

On the men's side, Noah Thomas continued his strong season with a new school record of 17.74m in the weight throw. Thomas' score placed in the A standard and also top five in the NAIA. It is the first time in UPIKE track and field history that an athlete has reached A standard. 

David Exum and Alex Rogers had set new personal bests as well tonight in throwing events. Exum scored a 12.80 in the shot-put and a 13.14 in the weight. Rogers also recorded a personal best with a 10.88 in the shot-put and a 10.00 in the weights. Junior sprinter Bobby Allums ran a 6.67 in the 55m prelims and 55m final. Allums also finished third in the 200m dash with a time of 23.47. 

On the women's side, Heaven Carver set a personal record in the 55m hurdles with a time of 10.82. Carver also finished with a 31.16 in the 200m dash. Verlecia Scarlett finished first overall in the weight throw with a 13.16m toss. Scarlett also tossed a 9.53 in the shot-put. Valerie Kendrick finished first in the shot-put with an 11.80m. Gabby Cook set personal bests in both the weight throw and the shot-put, scoring 11.47m and 9.09m, respectively. 

As a team, the Bears won three of the four throwing events. UPIKE had two representatives in the men's weight throw and three representatives in the women's. The track and field Bears will be back in action next weekend for the Spire Midwest Open in Geneva, Ohio. 

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