LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A pair of men's freshman records were broken, and the women swept the relays as the Bellarmine University track and field teams hosted the Jim Vargo Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Nolan Hester's veritable reign of terror on the men's freshman records continued as he set a new mark in the outdoor 1500 after finishing third in 3:51.45. Hester shattered Robert Sandlin's previous freshman record of 3:56.20 from the 2011 Bellarmine Classic.

Jackson Gawarecki also set a new freshman record, with his coming in the 3000 steeplechase. Gawarecki finished fourth in 9:42.37, besting Joey Ward's 9:43.44 at the 2009 GLVC Championships.

Bellarmine's women commanded the relays, placing first in both the 4x100 (49.37) and the 4x400 (3:53.76). The former contingent was comprised of freshman Chloe Freilinger, sophomore Avery Hedden, junior Katrina Kamarute and junior Jenna Walker. The latter was formed of Freilinger, Hedden, Kamarute and sophomore Chloe Powell.

Powell was the runner-up in the 800 while Hedden placed third in 100 and senior Talia Robinson was fourth. Kamarute (fourth), Hedden (sixth) and Robinson (ninth) all finished in the top 10 in the 200. Walker was fourth in the 100 hurdles.

Sophomore Justice Pohlman-Singleton placed fourth in the 5000 and freshman Hannah Ellis finished in the top half of the field in ninth. Senior Lauren Masden (sixth, 800), senior Riley Glenn (seventh, 5000), freshman Trisha Sexton (15th, 1500) and senior Emily Tuma (12th, hammer throw) all placed in the upper half of their respective events.

Led by the third-place finish of freshman Austin Pulkowski and the fifth of senior Chandler Gibson, Bellarmine's men had four place in the top half of the 10000. Freshman Matthew Wantland finished 13th and freshman Hunter Griffin took 18th.

In addition to Hester, freshman Wil Stamm placed sixth in the 1500 and sophomore Nick Lewis was 11th. Freshman Josh Meiman placed 22nd in a second, sizable 1500 race.

Freshman Trevor Holbrook finished third in the 200 and sixth in the 100, while sophomore John Cason was eighth and junior Nate Smith ninth in the 800. The 4x400 relay team of senior Tristan Backer, Holbrook, freshman Van Clements and senior Parker Terry took runner-up honors.

Freshman Owen Bates was the runner-up in the high jump, and senior Jared Muncaster placed in the top half of the hammer throw at 12th.

Bellarmine celebrated its seniors at the event. Honored were Lauren Cox, Glenn, Abby Jaworski, Masden, Robinson, Alivia Ryan, Emily Tuma, Neville Wintergerst-Burch, Backer, Will Esenbock, Gibson, Maxwell Kerber and Muncaster.

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