Polar Bears win four events as Men's Indoor Track and Field hosts the Polar Bear Final Qualifier
March 7, 2026
ADA — Junior Oliver Hendricks (Vandalia/Butler), sophomore Chris Bond (Franklin) and freshman Alex Robinson (Akron/CVCA) each won events at home on Saturday to lead the Ohio Northern men's indoor track & field team at the Polar Bear Final Qualifier.
The Basics
- The meet was not scored.
- Record: Ohio Northern (42-6 Overall).
- Venue: ONU Sports Center - Ada, Ohio.
Top ONU Performers
- Hendricks won the mile run in 4:20.33.
- Bond won the 800 in 2:01.39.
- Robinson won the 3000 in 9:11.43.
- ONU's 4x400m relay squad of freshman Alex Wotschka (Athens), freshman Carson Brown (Botkins), freshman Aiden McManis (Fredericktown), and freshman Elliott Gilbert (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) won in 3:38.17.
- Sophomore Dudley Bravard (Beavercreek) took 2nd in the 800 in 2:01.55.
- Gilbert also placed 2nd in the 400 in 51.60 seconds.
- Freshman Elijah Thompson (South Vienna/Northeastern) took 2nd in the pole vault, clearing 4.48 meters.
- Freshman Jacob Wireman (Lima/Bath) came 2nd in the mile in 4:25.63.
- Senior Evan Gomez (Farmington, New Mexico) finished 3rd in the weight throw with a heave of 17.14 meters.
- Junior Vova Herdman (Seville/Cloverleaf) took 3rd in the mile in 4:29.49.
- Junior Ryan Montross (Perrysburg) finished 3rd in the 800 in 2:02.52.
Notables
- Freshman James Durham (Hiram/Crestwood) timed 8.38 seconds in the 60m hurdles to take 4th place; this is a new personal record and 2nd best in ONU history.
- Gomez's weight throw of 17.14 meters is now tied for the 5th best in ONU history.
- Senior Connor Robbins (Marion/River Valley) threw 15.32 meters in the shot put to take 5th place; this is now the 5th best in ONU history.
- Hendricks' time of 4:20.33 in the mile now ranks 10th all-time in ONU history.
- Saturday consisted of 14 men's events with 6 field events, 7 running events, and 1 relay.
- Head Coach Jason Maus is in his 17th year at Ohio Northern and is 743-172 in men's indoor track and field for a winning percentage of .812. He is ONU's all-time winningest coach in track and field history.
Up Next
- The Polar Bears will return to action on March 13-14 at the NCAA Division III National Championships in Birmingham, Ala.
