FSU Sets Two School Records During Big Day At Golden Grizzly Invite

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams returned to the track on Saturday (Oct. 8) at the Golden Grizzly Invite hosted by Oakland University in Rochester.

FSU had a big day, setting a pair of school records while earning a NCAA national qualifying time. Overall, the Bulldogs had a total of 23 top-20 meet efforts in the competition, which included schools from all levels as part of a large field.

The Bulldogs' Donis Harris won the men's 5,000 meters, clocking a school-record time of 14:24.16 to meet the NCAA Division II National Provisional qualification time.

Meanwhile, Brandon Wirth came in fifth overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:39.80 and Kyle Drouillard took seventh place in the hammer throw (50.66m).

Ferris State's Bryce George placed 13th in the shot put (14.29m) and was 18th in the discus (39.87m). Aaron Pierce was 15th in the long jump (6.18m).

FSU's Andrew Shafley placed 18th overall in the 800 meters (1:58.70) while Dan Hardesty was 19th in the 1,500 meters (4:03.02). Brendan Cairney was 21st in the 5,000 meters (15:15.54).

FSU's 4x400-meter relay team of Tyrese Beedle, Ethan Hamilton, Josiah Flora and Kevin Wilson placed sixth (3:34.90).

In the women's competition, Whitney Farrell placed third overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase while setting a new school record with a time of 11:23.65 in the event. It marked her first collegiate race in the steeplechase.

In the field events, Brianna Copley was the runner-up in the discus (41.67m) while Claudia Wilkinson was eighth in the high jump (1.55m) and Emma Stephayn eighth in the discus (38.05m). Rebecca Marvin took 10th place in the shot put (10.94m) and Stephayn was 10th in the hammer throw (43.88m). Isabel Dziadzio finished 17th in the javelin (24.01m).

The Bulldogs' Nyah Tyron was sixth in the 400 hurdles (1:06.51) while Sydney Kubiak finished seventh in the 5,000 meters (17:57.75) with Melanea Strauss 10th (18:19.97) in the same race.

Ferris State's Daisy Englund claimed 14th place in the 800 meters (2:17.88) while Makayla Roberts was 17th in the 400 meters (1:03.11) with Kayla Muth 20th in the same event (1:04.26).

FSU's 4x400-meter relay team of Abigail Winkle, Englund, Roberts and Tyron also placed third overall (4:09.04).

The Bulldogs return to the track again on April 15-16 at the Bison Invite in Lewisburg, Pa.