Ferris State Track & Field Finds Success At SVSU "The Cardinal" Invitational

Ferris State Track & Field Finds Success At SVSU "The Cardinal" Invitational

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field teams returned to action on Friday (Jan. 31) night by competing in "The Cardinal" hosted by Saginaw Valley State University at O'Neil Arena in University Center, Mich.

The annual event included student-athletes from teams across the state with selected Bulldog participants competing in the evening action.

Senior Anna Rudd led the Bulldogs on the women's side in the non-scoring meet and reached the NCAA Division II National Provisional qualification mark in winning the 3,000 meters (10:05.11).

The Bulldogs' Raven Blaser claimed runner-up honors in the 60 meters (7.90). Meanwhile, Alyssa Osika placed sixth overall in the mile run (5:15.98) while Zoey Hohmann was sixth in the 400 meters (1:02.58). Gabby Baur finished seventh in the 400 meters (1:02.87). 

Breeann Ovokaitys took sixth place in the 800 meters (2:26.09) with teammate Ashley Hamilton one spot back in seventh place (2:26.68) in the same event. Emily Haynes wound up eighth in the 3,000 meters (10:48.41).

Rachel Long placed fourth in the women's weight throw (47-00.25) with Briana Raasio taking fifth place (43-3.00).

The Bulldog women were also fifth in the 4x400-meter relay (4:18.71) with a grouping consisting of Baur, Osika, Rachel Wood and Shea Van Klompenberg.

Ferris State took three of the top eight places overall in the women's distance medley relay team. The "A" unit clocked 12:25.14 to earn runner-up honors with a quartet including Ovokaitys, Baur, Van Klompenberg and Rudd. The Bulldogs' "B" team placed fifth (12:42.38) with the "C" unit clocking 13:19.82 in finishing eighth overall.

On the men's side in the distance medley relay, Ferris State put three teams among the top six finishers. The "B" tandem of Connor LaRowe, Brian Murphy, Spencer Gerber and Douglas Hulbert was timed in 10:47.78 and finished third. Meanwhile, the "C" team took fifth place (10:59.01) and the "A" unit came in sixth (11:11.84).

The Bulldogs' Ryan Stankey earned runner-up honors in the shot put (49-6.25). Senior David Silversmith earned fourth place in the mile run (4:26.70) with fellow senior Alex Bladecki coming in fifth (4:27.09).

FSU's Malik Washington was seventh overall in the 60 meters (7.16) while freshman Ja'Juan Pollock placed eighth in the 200 meters (23.46).

In the 3,000 meters, the Bulldogs captured spots four thru sixth as Andrew Hamilton finished fourth (8:57.18), Brandon Cushman was fifth (8:57.32) and Kyle Richardson took sixth (8:57.73) as all three finished within a second of each other.

David Jimpkoski came in fourth overall in the weight throw (50-5.25) and teammate Austin Grant was eighth (48-2.75).

The Bulldog men's tandem of Hayden Francisco, Murphy, Pollock and Hunter Redman placed fifth in the 4x400-meter relay (3:41.76).

Ferris State will next take part in the Hillsdale Invitational on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 7-8) in Hillsdale, Mich.

Visit this link for complete meet results:
http://www.svsucardinals.com/sports/mtrack/2013-14/files/14_Cardinal_results.htm