Two Bulldogs Hit NCAA-Qualifying Times As FSU Track Competes In 49th Annual Hillsdale "Gina" Relays

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams combined for several personal bests and had a pair of student-athletes provisionally qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships as the Bulldogs took part in the 49th annual Hillsdale "Gina" Relays this weekend.

The large three-day meet annually ranks as one of the largest in the country with more than 1,000 athletes on hand at the Ken Herrick Track on the Hillsdale College campus. It included student-athletes from all levels of competition across the country.

Bulldog senior Samantha Johnson recorded a sixth-place performance in the championship section of the 1,500 meters as she clocked a NCAA Division II National Provisional qualifying time of 4:28.54 in the race. Fellow senior Breeann Ovokaitys also placed 10th in the event and topped the national-qualifying mark as she was timed in 4:32.34.

In addition, Ashley Hamilton placed 10th in the 800 meters (2:16.42) for the Bulldogs women and Samantha Humphrey was 11th in the open division of the 1,500 meters (4:48.75).

In the women's throws, FSU's Briana Raasio earned runner-up honors in the javelin (123-5) and also placed 14th in the women's discus (119-5).

On the men's side, Connor Pilmore came in third overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:12.13). Matt Crawford took fifth place in the 400-meter hurdles (1:00.64) and senior Spencer Gerber wound up seventh in the 1,500 meters (4:01.02) with Logan Hammer 10th (4:03.18).

FSU's Josh Duggan came in 12th in the 200 meters (22.69) with junior Lucas Copi placing 13th in the 5,000 meters (14:52.70) and Ben Lentz 13th in the 800 meters (1:56.46). Copi narrowly missed climbing onto the school's all-time top five outdoor chart in his race.

Austin Grant placed seventh in the hammer throw open division (166-8) with Tyler Satkowiak 10th in the event (156-1). Ross Miller was 10th in the shot put (45-8.50). Senior Ryan Stankey finished 11th in the discus (133-9) with freshman Brett Allpow 15th (129-9).

The Hillsdale "Gina" Relays were renamed in 1996 in honor of former NAIA cross country champion of Hillsdale Gina Van Laar, who tragically lost her life in an auto accident.

The Bulldogs will return to Hillsdale this coming week for the GLIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships with the majority of the meet set for Thursday and Friday (April 30-May 1) in Hillsdale.