MANSFIELD – Last week, over 600 student-athletes along with thousands of parents, friends and fans made their way to Mansfield University while thousands more watched live online for an unforgettable 2016 PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Robert T. Maxson Track.
 
Though a collaboration between the Slippery Rock University athletic communications department and the Mansfield University sports information department, all three days of track events were streamed live for the first time ever. The live video totaled over 8,500 views from desktop and mobile devices with users streaming a total of 1,876 hours or 78 days of video.
 
"Remarkable, just remarkable," said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. "Fans across the northeast and beyond owe a debt of gratitude to the Mansfield and Slippery Rock sports information offices. It was professionally done and provided a great service to everyone associated with PSAC track & field."
 
Much of the credit goes to Mansfield alum and former Mountaineer distance runner Jon Holtz '06 who is the director of athletic communications at Slippery Rock. Holtz, who ran for the Mountaineers the last time Mansfield hosted the conference championship in 2005, provided the equipment and much of the commentary over the course of the championship.
 
He was joined on air by Shippensburg Sports Information Director Bill Morgal for Friday and Saturday's events while Josh Wooten '05, a former teammate of Holtz and student-assistant in the MU sports information office as an undergrad, provided color commentary during the 10K finals.
 
Mansfield Assistant Sports Information Director Ryan McNamara coordinated the Mountaineer's sports information staff including Kiley Johnson and student-assistants Ryan Sargent and Cody Getz. Johnson and Sargent were responsible for the camera and production of the live stream. Getz was able to capture incredible moments on video such as Kelsey Carlsen's record javelin throw and Charlsie Bowen's second place pole vault.
 
"This was an event we can all take great pride in," said Mansfield Sports Information Director Steve McCloskey. "Jon Holtz is a good friend who first learned this trade as an undergraduate in our office. He has since gone on to be one of the best and most highly respected SIDs in the country. None of this would have been possible without Jon."
 
Along with the fans who watched the live streaming coverage, thousands of PSAC track & field parents and friends descended on the Northern Tier for three days of elite performances. The crowd packed Karl Van Norman Field as well as local hotels and restaurants and were charmed by Mansfield's beautiful campus and the gorgeous rolling hills of northern Pennsylvania. Despite a deluge for Saturday's 4x400-meter relay finale, a raucous crowd remained in the stands to cheer on their favorite PSAC universities. Others sought refuge in Decker Gymnasium where a live broadcast of the championship was displayed on a large TV for all to see.
 
Despite a few rain storms and some occasional windy conditions, the weather turned out to be favorable through the three days of competition.

Athletes and coaches were very pleased with the newly renovated Robert T. Maxson Track surface along with the recent additions to the throws area at Russell Practice Field. An incredible effort by the Mansfield facilities department and the athletic staff as well as dozens of volunteers made for a memorable championship weekend. Overall, PSAC athletes set 15 women's and 12 men's facility records at the championships, most being set at the last PSAC meet in 2005. Shippensburg continued its track & field dynasty with the men's team claiming its eighth straight PSAC title while the women picked up their seventh straight.
 
Months of planning by head coaches Mike Rohl and Steph Cadwell and their staff paid off with a well-run and enjoyable three days of action. Assistant Director of Athletics Chaelim Nellis was responsible for much of the coordination with the conference office along with organizing volunteers for the event. The Mountaineers qualified 10 athletes for the championship along with 12 athletes competing in the relay events.
 
Mansfield's Carlsen turned in one of the all-time great Mountie performances in the javelin on Saturday, beating her career personal best by almost three meters to set a school record and finish third overall. That throw also punched the senior's ticket to her second NCAA Track & Field Championship. Carlsen and Bowen, who took second in the women's pole vault, both earned All-PSAC honors for the first time in their careers.