FSU Track & Field Competes Well At The Cardinal Open
Posted: Jan 25, 2013

FSU Track & Field Competes Well At The Cardinal Open

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field teams returned to action by taking part in the "Cardinal Open" hosted by Saginaw Valley State on Friday (Jan. 25) night inside the Ryder Center in University Center, Mich.

Senior Ryan Chute won the men's mile run (4:19.57) with Brandon Cushman taking third place (4:34.77) in the same event and Kyle Richardson coming in eighth (4:38.70).

In the men's 400 meters, Austin Syrek placed second (52.68), Zachary Cross was third (53.20) and Thomas Lyons was fifth (54.26).  Finally, Luca Cutraro placed seventh (55.46).

Cross also finished fourth in the 200 meters (23.84) with Lyons coming in fifth (23.87), Gary Atkins seventh (24.48) and Syrek eighth (24.56) overall.

Andrew Harper was second in the 3,000 meters (8:49.78), Chute came in third (8:54.71), Spencer Gerber was fifth (8:57.43), Cushman took sixth place (8:57.57) and Lucas Copi was seventh (9:00.04).

David Jimpkoski was second overall in the men's weight throw (15.90m) with JJ Vandenberg fourth (15.31m) and Austin Grant fifth (14.30m).  Sam Goode took eighth place (13.56m).

In relay action, the Bulldogs took second place in the women's distance medley relay as the quartet of Samantha Johnson, Shea Van Klompenberg, Breeann Ovokaitys and Anna Rudd reached a national provisional qualification time (12:17.37).  FSU also had a second foursome finish third (13:42.75) in the race.

On the men's side, the foursome of Alex Bladecki, Austin Syrek, Connor LaRowe and Bill King finished first in a time of 10:29.54.  FSU's "B" team came in third at 10:42.88.

Ovokaitys won the 800 meters (2:27.82) and came in fourth overall for the Bulldog women in the mile run (5:23.60). Rachel Wood was third in the 800 meters (2:29.92) with Erika Roe taking seventh place (2:35.17).

Jessica Pilling won the shot put (12.57m) with Alison Busick placing fourth (10.57m).

The Bulldogs return to competition on Feb. 8-9 at The Big Meet hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale.