Bulldogs Turn In Two NCAA-Qualifying Times In Two-Day GVSU "Big Meet"

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field squads continued preparations for the 2015 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships by taking part in two seperate events hosted by Grand Valley State on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 13-14) in Allendale.

The Bulldogs competed in the GVSU "Big Meet", which was held over two days with two different fields at the Kelly Family Sports Center in Allendale. The event featured more than 2,000 athletes competing over the two days and the Bulldogs came away with a pair of national qualifying performances.

The "Big Meet" was billed as one of the biggest collegiate indoor meets in the country and included athletes from schools across the country in nearly every level of competition.

In the Friday "Big Meet", FSU senior Samantha Johnson turned in a NCAA Division II National Provisional Qualification time with an eighth-place finish in section one of the women's mile run with a time of 4:56.77 in the race. Meanwhile, senior Breeann Ovokaitys competed in section two and narrowly missed the qualifying time as she clocked 5:02.64 in finishing sixth in her race.

Sophomore Emily Haynes placed fifth in section three of the women's 5,000 meters (17:54.17) on Friday with Jessica Delaney taking 12th place (18:39.17) in section four.

On the men's side, Damonta Madden took fourth place in preliminary section one of the 60 meters (7.01). He was also third in section two of the 200 meters (22.15) in the prelims during Friday's action. Several other Bulldog competitors were also in action on both the men's and women's sides, but did not place in the top 12 overall of their respective events.

On Saturday at the "Big Meet", freshman Molly Emerick won section six of the women's 800 meters with a time of 2:21.76 while junior Ashley Hamilton took fourth place in section four of the 800 meters (2:20.49).

Sophomore Samantha Humphrey was eighth in section two of the mile run (5:12.02) with senior Kayla Smith taking ninth place in section four of the same event (5:37.82) and Paige Koskinen coming in 11th (5:37.82) in the same section.

Delaney placed fourth in section two of the 3,000 meters (10:51.08) with Haynes 10th in section one (10:20.08).

Ferris State took seventh place in section two of the distance medley relay while also registering a NCAA-II National Provisional qualifying time. The tandem of Johnson, Hamilton, Humphrey and Ovokaitys clocked 11:58.43 in the race.

In the women's weight throw, FSU's Briana Raasio took fourth place in flight four with a toss of 50-11.50. Sophomore Rachel Long was ninth in the same flight (47-3.75) with freshman Maycee Robinson 10th (43-3.25).

On the men's side, freshman Maurice Nash placed second in section 11 of the 200 meters (23.53), Ben Lentz captured fourth place in section 10 of the 200 meters (23.84) and freshman Josh Duggan was third in section eight (23.23) of the same event. Lentz also placed third in section 8 of the 400 meters (51.48) while Duggan finished fifth in section seven of the 400 meters (52.13). Freshman Matt Crawford came in third in section 12 (55.74).

FSU freshman Max Hodges won section seven of the 800 meters (2:00.20) with sophomore Hunter Redman placing ninth in section five of the 800 meters (2:05.67).

Freshman Jake Morey finished third in section three of the mile run (4:27.93) and sophomore Logan Hammer came in 11th in section two (4:28.15) of the race. Connor Pilmore wound up 13th in section three (4:40.51).

Junior Kyle Richardson plaecd 15th in the first section of the 3,000 meters (8:51.44). Meanwhile, junior Lucas Copi turned in a 12th place showing in section two (8:58.60) and freshman Hunter Nivison earned runner-up honors in section three (8:57.97). Freshman Douglas Hulbert also placed 11th in section three (9:16.21). Finally, freshman Clayton Springer won section four (9:15.88).

The Ferris State team of Madden, Redman, Lentz and Duggan teamed up to win section four of the men's 4x400-meter relay (3:27.56).

Bulldog senior Ryan Stankey was the runner-up in flight two of the men's shot put (50-0.75). Freshman Ross Miller earned third-place in flight three of the weight throw (48-1.25) with sophomore Tyler Satkowiak coming in fifth in the same flight (47-4.50) and freshman Brett Allpow 10th (44-4). Junior Austin Grant competed in flight three and was 10th (46-3.50).

Ferris State will compete against at GVSU this coming Friday (Feb. 20) as the Bulldogs take part in the GVSU Tune-Up Meet in Allendale. The GLIAC Championships will take place in two weeks on Feb. 28-March 1 at Saginaw Valley State in University Center, Mich.