Ferris State Track & Field Wraps Up Action At GLIAC Outdoor Championships

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams wrapped up action in the 2013 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships on Friday (May 3) in Ashland, Ohio.

The men tallied four points in finishing 12th overall at the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex while the women's team picked up a total of 12 points in a 13th-place finish.  All 16 conference members took part in the women's competition with 14 schools involved on the men's side in the meet hosted by Ashland University.

On the women's side, FSU's Alyssa Osika led the way as she posted a NCAA provisional national qualification mark in the 800 meters while earning runner-up honors with a time of 2:12.02 in the race.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs' Jessica Pilling took fifth place in the hammer throw as she also reached a national provisional qualification standard with a toss of 185-10 in a competitive field featuring some of the nation's top throwers.

Alison Busick wound up 16th overall in the shot put (36-7.75) while Brittany Anderson placed 17th overall in the 5,000 meters (18:59.28) for FSU.

The Ferris State quartet of Gabby Baur, Shaleen Williams, Rachel Wood and Shea Van Klompenberg finished ninth overall in the women's 4x400-meter relay (4:04.06).

Senior Ryan Chute came in ninth overall in the final round of the 1,500 meters and narrowly missed scoring position as he was clocked in 3:59.30 overall.

Ferris State's Lucas Johnson also narrowly missed scoring as he finished ninth in the hammer throw (178-9).

In the men's 5,000 meters, FSU's Lucas Copi placed 12th (15;45.05) while Andrew Harper was 13th (15:46.11) of more than 30 participants.

Ryan Stankey placed 14th overall in the shot put (48-10.25) and JJ Vandenberg was 16th in the hammer throw (164-9).

Selected Bulldog competitiors will return to action next Friday (May 10) in the Last Chance meet hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale.  The meet serves as a final chance for athletes to hit qualifying marks for the NCAA Outdoor Championships this season.