Photo courtesy of IU News Room

One week after running a disappointing 3,000 meters, Andy Bayer put himself right back on top of the NCAA leaderboards.

Bayer posted a time of 3:58.23 in the mile, which not only is the fastest mile in the NCAA, it’s also the fastest mile run by an American this year.

Bayer was relieved after the race, as he was coming off a discouraging performance at the Gladstein Invitational. Bayer also said he believes that a faster time is in store as his racing legs develop, and the competition grows.

“ Last week was definitely kind of frustrating,” Bayer said. “Coming out of this week I feel like I’m where I thought I was, and I’m ready to move forward.”

Coach Ron Helmer was also pleased to see his best runner get back on track.

“It was really good,” Helmer said. “I could see him relax a little bit.”

Coming into his career at Indiana, Ryan Hindes had no idea he would be where he is today. A walk-on with no aspirations to be a full time runner, now finds himself having run the second-fastest 600 meters in the history of Indiana University.

“ I was thrilled, after the fact when you find out you’re only .05 from the school record, then it becomes bittersweet,” Hindes said. “But it was great.”

It was a PR (Personal record) by about to two seconds for him and put him near the top of the Big Ten.

In the sprints, Kind Butler continued his strong season as he finished in second in both the 60 and 200-meter dash.

Aside from Andy Bayer, DeSean Turner and Ben Hubers ran the mile and narrowly missed breaking four minutes for the first time in their careers. Bayer knew they would be disappointed after the run.

“ I think they were both pretty bummed,” Bayer said. “I think though if they get another chance this year, they’ll definitely get it and I think they’re ready to do it.”

For the IU women’s team, the distance contingent continued a strong start to the season. Kelsie Ahbe, coming off an early season injury, and Monique Riddick both stepped up.

“Coming into this weekend I didn’t really put any expectations up there,” Ahbe said. “I just wanted to come out here and enjoy myself.”

Ahbe vaulted 13 feet 5 inches, good for a third-place finish.

In the throws, Monique Riddick came in second in the shot put and recorded a PR in the weight throw.

“ I was really ecstatic,” Riddick said. “I finally got the monkey off my back.”

The women also got a boost in the high jump with a third and fifth place finish from Emma Kimoto and Mia Mackinnon, respectively.

With strong performances in the field, the women’s sprinters and distance runners continued to raise the bar. Kelsey Duerksen and Breanne Erhman shaved more time off their mile, both of them now getting to 4:42, two seconds better then their previous best this season.

“ Now we’re starting to talk about some quality marks at the national level,” Hemler said. “The quality marks are starting to percolate to the surface a little more regularly. “

Other notable races included, Aireonna Bailey coming in fifth in both the 60 and 200-meter dash, Ruth Chrstopher finishing second in the 800, and Chelsea Blanchard running a 16.41.96 for a third place finish in the 5k.