Four Headed to Marietta

After a year hiatus, the Heidelberg University men’s track and field team is back competing for All-American recognition. Heidelberg will have four athletes, in two events, at the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Marietta College May 21-23.
 
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Keith Roberts Jr., Heidelberg has qualified sophomore Wes Hendricks (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek) in the 400-meter dash, as well as the 4x400-meter relay team consisting of sophomore starter Seth Robertson (Burton, Ohio / Newbury) followed by junior Mark Childs (New Albany, Ohio / New Albany), sophomore Terrence Horton (Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington) and anchored by Hendricks. Everyone will be making their first trip to the outdoor nationals, but national experience is still present. Hendricks, Childs and Robertson ran at the 2008 indoor nationals as members of the 4x400-meter relay.
 
In the history of the outdoor program, Heidelberg has accumulated 14 individual All-American honors and its 2007 4x400-meter relay team reached the podium as well. There have been two national champions on the indoor track, but a national title has eluded the Berg outdoors.
 
Hendricks is the third ’Berg athlete to run at the national championships in the 400-meter dash and will look to join Bill Cooper (1996) on the All-American list. He ran a qualifying time of 48.35 at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships, where he won the event. On the national list Hendricks sits 15th. His quest for the All-American podium begins with his trial run at 3:40 p.m. on Friday.
 
Looking to make its two All-American relays in the history book for Heidelberg will be Childs, Hendricks, Horton and Robertson. The group qualified with a time of 3:15.23 at the Gregory Track and Field Invitational hosted by North Central College May 15. Overall Heidelberg is being represented in the relay for the third time. Its trial run is slated for Thursday at 7:10 p.m.