History was made on April 21 for men’s track when an underclassmen 4×1 relay set the new record at 42.58.

The record came at a perfect time. HU’s track and field squads took a trip to Indiana Wesleyan for the 113th annual Little State Championships. Little State is made up of all non-Division 1 NCAA colleges in the state and includes the NAIA.

The 4×1 record was started by Heath Atkins, continued by Bradey Gerke and Payton Depriest, and anchored by Avniel Barrow (who recently set the school record in the 100m).

“It was only the second time we all ran together in the 4×1,” Gerke said. “Only one of us is actually a 100-meter sprinter, so it was kind of surprising we broke the record so soon.”

Atkins and Gerke are both mainly jumpers, and according to Gerke, Depriest’s best is the 400m.

With a diverse group setting the record so smoothly, it’s safe to say they have high expectations for their future together.

Barrow said that “we showed up and did it. We ran well.”

Gerke placed third in the triple jump with a 41-00.25, and Nicole Pennington placed fifth in the 100m sprint.

As the school year wraps up for the Foresters, track and field members hope to continue to improve with huge strides.