Mar. 14th, 2026/Arkadelphia, AR - The Westminster men's track & field team traveled to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on Saturday, March 14th to compete at the Ouachita Invite. Eight athletes competed on the track and in the field, highlighted by freshman Chase Arnold's performances in both the long and triple jumps. Arnold recorded an eighth-place finish in the triple jump, setting a personal best of 12.34 meters - a mark that currently leads the SLIAC after the weekend of competition. He also set a personal best of 6.01 meters in the long jump, finishing tenth.

Arnold was joined on the runway by sophomore Weston Jennings, who also jumped 6.01 meters in the long jump (a collegiate best), finishing one place ahead of Arnold. Freshman Nik Thieman also opened his outdoor season with an impressive performance in the javelin. His best throw of 46.88 meters is the best mark by any SLIAC competitor through two weekends, and the third-best in modern program history. Freshman Vincent Howard led the way in the ring, opening his spring season with a mark of 11.57 meters in the shot put, besting his mark from the indoor season.

On the track, freshman Aidan Szczodroski made his collegiate debut in both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles. Both of his times (17.26 in the 110 hurdles, 1:02.27 in the 400 hurdles) currently lead the conference, and are among the four fastest times in modern program history. Freshman Levi Brandt shaved multiple seconds off his 400-meter personal best, while junior Makel McFarland and freshman Max Jarvis made their collegiate outdoor debuts.

The Blue Jays are back in action on Saturday, March 21st at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri.
Full Results - 2026 Ouachita Invite

Other Top Ten Program Marks

Vincent Howard: Shot Put, 6th (11.57)
Weston Jennings: 100 meters, 9th (11.95); 200 meters, 10th (24.25)

Current Top Eight Marks in the SLIAC (as of 3/16/26)

Chase Arnold: Triple Jump, 1st (12.34); Long Jump, T-6th (6.01)
Levi Brandt: 400 meters, 5th (57.97)
Vincent Howard: Shot Put, 3rd (11.57); Discus, 7th (25.64)
Max Jarvis: 400 meters, 8th (1:04.34)
Weston Jennings: 200 meters, 7th (24.25); Long jump, T-6th (6.01)
Nik Thieman: Javelin, 1st (46.88)
Aidan Szczodroski: 110-meter hurdles, 1st (17.26); 400-meter hurdles, 1st (1:02.27)