Cedarville topples three more school records on day two of the Tennessee Invite

Cedarville topples three more school records on day two of the Tennessee Invite

By Matt Schaeckenbach

Most people are familiar with the saying, “Records were made to be broken.” It’s a common phrase, as most know that someone will come along one day to set the standard even higher. 

However, when people say this, they typically expect these records to last for a while. Many records last for numerous years, such as Usain Bolt’s 100 and 200-meter records. But for Cedarville track and field this season, the record books seem to be rewritten almost every week. 

This weekend was no different, as two school records quickly tumbled on the first day of competition from superstars Brandon Rogers and Josh Paul in the 200 meters and the triple jump. 

On day two, junior phenom Caleb Sultan started off the record-breaking day in the 800. 

“I felt as strong as I’ve felt in the 800,” Sultan said, going into the race. 

He was seeded second going into the race, with the fastest time in the field coming in at 1:49 from Milligan’s Luis Peralta. However, Sultan attacked the race with the same ferocity fans have come to expect from him at this point in the season, tucking in behind the pacer and taking the initiative. 

He cruised through the first lap in 52 seconds as the pacer dropped out, leaving Sultan at the front of the pack with Peralta trying to chase him down. Sultan held the lead through 600 meters. However, coming around the turn, Peralta put in a surge, jostling with Sultan slightly as he overtook him coming into the final stretch. 

Fighting to hold his form, Sultan couldn’t track down Peralta, crossing the finish line in a new school record time of 1:49.56. 

“It was an outdoor PR, so I was very happy about that,” Sultan said. “I still feel like I can clean some things up and run faster, but I’m thankful I had a 1:49 in the tank today. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete and for the gifts God has given me.”

The time currently ranks Sultan No. 12 in Division II this outdoor season.

Following Sultan’s dominance in the 800, Brandon Rogers continued to make history for the Yellow Jackets, this time in the 400 meter dash. 

Rogers came into the event ranked third, but his time wasn’t far off from the top two runners from Marian and Bryant & Stratton. 

Through the first 100 meters, Rogers trailed slightly. The field put a small gap on him, despite coming through the first 200 meters in around 22 seconds.

However, Rogers never fails to put on a show in the back half of his races. With unmatched speed and strength, he opened up his stride, zeroed in on his competition, and began to pick them off one by one. 

Rogers seemed to have each of the runners on a string as he slingshotted past each of his competitors, going from fifth to third and then from third to second. However, while he was closing in on the rest of the field, Rogers ran out of room, finishing second behind Bryant & Stratton’s King Evans.

The time, however, was what really mattered, as Rogers crossed the line in a blazing 46.68 seconds, shattering the previous school record held by his teammate, Jeremy Johnson, by more than half a second. 

“I needed to get out faster, but I’m happy with my time,” Rogers said. “I reeled them in at the end, but that just means I know I can go faster.” 

With how Rogers has been running this season, there looks to be no stopping him from pushing the new record even faster–even as low as the 45-second territory. 

Rogers’ time currently ranks him No. 7 in Division II this season.

However, Rogers wasn’t done setting records this weekend as he teamed up with Caleb Sultan, Jeremy Johnson and Michael Braxton in the 4×400 meter relay. 

But the team that ran the relay wasn’t originally scheduled to do so. Caleb Sultan was a late alternate in the event for sophomore star, David Gerdin.

“I found out I was in the 4×4 an hour before the race,” Sultan said. “I found out I was the anchor not long after that.”

While Sultan is primarily known as an 800 meter runner, his versatility is part of what makes him so integral to the team. 

“I knew I had to flip the switch for the boys,” Sultan said.

Rogers started the relay all the way out in lane eight, trying to hold off the teams from Tennessee and Marian.

“I didn’t have a lot of time in between the 400 and the 4×4,” Rogers said. 

However, even with two races and two school records already on his legs for the weekend, Rogers didn’t let that stop him as he charged around the track.

“I just gave it my all and felt really fast on the first leg.” 

Rogers handed off first to his teammate Jeremy Johnson, giving Cedarville the early lead as Johnson rocketed around the turn.

Johnson maintained the team’s lead on the second leg, but the runner from Marian had slightly closed the gap going into the third leg. 

Braxton took the baton and got off to a quick start, keeping the runner from Marian behind him for 300 meters. However, on the final straightaway, Marian overtook Cedarville, passing Braxton and getting the baton to the anchor leg first. 

Sultan was in hot pursuit from the start, lowering his head and grinding out the first 200 meters with his eyes set on the Marian athlete just ahead of him. 

Coming onto the home stretch, Sultan gave his all, but the effort wasn’t enough to overtake the first place runner. Crossing the line in second, all eyes went to the clock. 

The time flashed onto the screen: 3:09.87.

The time shattered the previous outdoor school record of 3:12.07 by two full seconds, giving Sultan his second school record of the day, and Rogers his third on the weekend.

“Everyone did their part, and we got the job done,” Sultan said. “Wouldn’t wanna do it with anyone else.”

Echoing his teammates’ words, Rogers commented on his meet and the team’s. 

“Generational type of weekend.” 

Cedarville track and field is in full swing this outdoor season, with records falling left and right. With one meet to go until the GMAC conference championships, the Yellow Jackets will look to add several more conference champions at the start of May. Following that, Cedarville will head to the National Championships in Emporia, Kansas, where its stars will have another shot at adding their names to the list of All-Americans and National Champions this season. 

Matt Schaeckenbach is a Junior Liberal Arts major from Iowa City, Iowa. He loves spending time with his family, running, playing board games, and encouraging others in Christ.