Ferris State Track & Field Posts Two National-Qualifying Marks & Sets School Record At GVSU Open

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field teams took part in the Grand Valley State Open on Friday (Jan. 19) evening and had a pair of national-qualifying performances along with a school record at the Kelly Family Sports Center in Allendale.

Overall, the Bulldogs compiled 34 points on the men's side and six in the women's competition, wihch included a mix of athletes from various West Michigan and regional institutions along with unattached entries.

On the men's side, the Bulldogs were led by standout high jumper Jon Cok, who won the event and reached a NCAA Division II National Provisional Qualifying mark with a top performance of 6-8.25 on the night.

The Bulldogs' Cody Stilwell also reached a national-qualifying figure with a runner-up finish in the weight throw (65-2.75). His personal-best indoor throw set a new school record.

Teammate Stanley Williams was third in the long jump (22-9.75) with Ross Miller sixth in the weight throw (54-8) and Brett Allpow seventh (52-3.75) in the same event.

Lucas Harris finished sixth in the 400 meters (51.49) while Dylan Hearns and John Alberts placed seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 800 meters in times of 1:59.72 and 2:00.22.

Williams also placed eighth in the 60 meters (7.15) and senior Trevor Holowaty was ninth in the 3,000 meters (8:57.90). Brett Allpow finished ninth in the shot put (44-10.25).

The Bulldog men also were seventh in the 4x400-meter relay with a quartet of Hearns, Mark Jacobs, Alberts and John Israels.

On the women's side, the Bulldogs' Kathryn Etelamaki was fifth in the 3,000 meters (10:28.89) while Sydney Dawes took sixth place in the 800 meters (2:18.82) with teammate Carissa Schurr coming in ninth (2:23.18) in the race.

FSU's Sarah Utchel came in eighth in the 60 meters (7.97) while Etelamaki placed ninth in the mile run (5:11.56).

Meanwhile, Amanda Eslinger wound up eighth in the high jump (4-10.50).

Ferris State also finished sixth in the women's 4x400-meter relay (4:17.36) with a tandem of Dawes, Katelyn Hutchinson, Kylie Hutchinson and Schurr.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27, at the Saginaw Valley State Jet's Pizza Invitational in University Center, Mich.