The Ohio State track team began its indoor track and field season Saturday with an impressive performance from many of the athletes in the three-team Buckeye Invitational.

Along with OSU, both Vanderbilt and Central State competed in the unscored meet at the French Field House.

The biggest story of the day came from pole vaulter Becky Heintz. The junior vaulter set an OSU indoor record in her event with a mark of 11-5 3/4. Heintz tied for first with Vanderbilt’s Paige Roberts.

“For this being my first meet of the season, I am very excited about my efforts today,” Heintz said. “This good start will give me added confidence as I look to do well throughout the season.”

Starting right where he left off last season, All-American junior thrower Dan Taylor placed first in the men’s shot put with a throw of 61 feet, 10.5 inches. Last season, Taylor was an All-American in both indoor and outdoor.

The strong throwers were not limited to the men’s side. A trio of women finished in the top three for OSU. Senior Krista Keir (49-8 1/4), junior Alexis McCall and senior Erin Carter all turned in impressive performances in the first competition of the season.

McCall, a returning All-American, has been battling a hamstring injury though she expects to continue her strong performances throughout the season.

“Although the injury has been frustrating to work through, I am using these early meets to improve,” McCall said. “I am hoping to qualify for nationals again and use this time to develop my skills.”

Senior high jumper Tami Smith started her season off with a jump of 5-9 3/4, good enough for a provisional qualification for the NCAA Tournament later this year. Smith is another Buckeye coming off an All-American year.

“The first meet is always difficult because we need to get the jitters out,” Smith said. “It’s good to see that we are already working hard as a team and getting prepared to make a good run at the Big Ten title.”

OSU jump coach Jack Warner was particularly excited about his jumpers’ efforts in the first meet of the indoor season.

“We already had an indoor record set today, which is impressive because we haven’t yet focused on technique in practice,” Warner said. “Once we start working on every other aspect, we should be in good shape.”

The Buckeyes had first-place finishes in the long jump. For the men, Nosa Ehimwenman’s jump of 23-4 took top honors, while Zakiya Harris (17-9) led the women.

OSU did well in the running events on the men’s side, with first-place finishes by senior Greg Norman (60-meter dash), Rob Myers (the 3000) and sophomore Chris Basinger (the one-mile). Norman’s time of 6.88 seconds set a new French Field House and OSU indoor record.

For the women, Molly Logan and Brandi Hogan finished first and second, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. Jason Hodges and Joel Brown competed in the same event on the men’s side, finishing second and third, respectively.

The Buckeyes next meet comes Saturday when OSU travels to the Illinois Invitational in Champaign.