Alumni Report: Former Yorkville Standout Jake Hoffert Leads Alumni Charge at Pre Nats

Oct 18, 2016

The Braves improved their position at the race by 18 spots from last season and finished above two schools ranked in the latest USTFCCCA rankings (No. 7 Portland and No. 15 Eastern Kentucky), while also placing above an additional three teams receiving votes in the national poll (California, Dartmouth and Louisville). Of the seven programs to finish about the Braves, six are nationally ranked with five of the six teams polling in the top 13 spots in the country.

"Another good performance for our team today," said Bradley head coach Darren Gauson. "We beat some good teams and also passed schools that had beat us earlier in the year. So it's nice to see that improvement as we head into our key races of the season."

Junior Michael Ward once again paced the Braves during the meet. The junior crossed the finish line in 16th place with a time of 24:21.6, improving his individual position by 56 spots from a season ago.

Freshman Jake Hoffert ranked second on the team and 42nd overall - also finishing as the fifth-fastest freshman on the day. The rookie ran a career-best 8K time of 24:46.0, shaving nearly 30 seconds off his first career collegiate 8K from earlier in the season.

Senior Patrick Campbell was right behind Hoffert and placed 46th in a time of 24:48.5. Senior Caleb Beckand junior Taylor Floyd Mews rounded out the day for the Braves, finishing 91st and 116th, respectively, with times of 25:14.3 and 25:23.9.

"Michael Ward was a little more controlled today," Gauson said. "He moved up well throughout the race and closed really well. Jake Hoffert had a breakthrough performance for him as one of the top freshmen finishers, while Patrick Campbell ran right with him and was really solid. Caleb Beck had missed a couple of days and was in the 140s at around the 6K mark but he grinded out at the end and that was the difference between a 12th or 13th-place finish and eighth. Taylor Floyd Mews was then solid again to close out the race for us."

After competing in the Illini Open next Friday, the Braves will turn their attention toward the Missouri Valley Championship as Bradley looks to defend its title. The conference crown is set to be determined on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

==============================================================================