FSU Battles Elements In Posting Marks At Hillsdale Invitational

Big Rapids, Mich. - Despite the weather conditions, the Ferris State University men's and women's track and field teams hit the track again on Saturday (April 13) as the Bulldogs took part in the Hillsdale Invitational.

The competition was held on the Ken Herrick Track in Hillsdale with selected field events moved indoors to the new Margot V. Biermann Center, which recently opened.

Snow fell for much of the invitational that featured eight different schools.  Both FSU teams finished fifth overall in the field with selected student-athletes taking part.

On the women's side, Jessica Pilling led the way as she won the hammer throw with a NCAA national provisional qualifying throw of 182-0 (55.48m).

FSU's Alyssa Osika took runner-up honors in the 800 meters.

In the other throwing events, Christa Cwiek took fourth place in the javelin (97-2) with Alison Busick finishing fifth in the shot put (35-7.75).

Meanwhile, Breeann Ovokaitys placed fifth in the 1,500 meters (4:55.25) and Brittany Anderson wound up fifth in the 5,000 meters (18:57.20).

Shaleen Williams was eighth overall in the 200 meters (27.38) while Shea Van Klompenberg came in eighth in the 800 meters (2:21.77) and Paige Koskinen finished eighth in the 5,000 meters (19:31.36).

The Ferris State foursome of Gabby Baur, Osika, Rachel Wood and Van Klompenberg also came in third overall in the 4x400-meter relay (4:07.96).

On the men's side, Ferris State took the top two spots in the 5,000 meters as Brandon Cushman won the event in 15:19.51 followed by Lucas Copi (15:24.73).

In the men's 1,500 meters, Blake Garver finished second (4:07.23) with Andrew Harper third (4:07.23) and Bill King seventh (4:09.07).

Connor LaRowe took fourth place in the 800 meters (1:59.88) while Kyle Garner was seventh in the 400-meter hurdles (58.48).

FSU had success in the hammer throw as Lucas Johnson finished second (161-10) with Austin Grant fifth (150-1), David Jimpkoski sixth (146-5) and Ryan Stankey eighth (136-7).

The Bulldogs' Stankey was fourth in the shot put (42-9.50) with Travis Hauck seventh (35-9.25) in the same event.  Derek Ash placed eighth in the discus (131-4).

FSU was also sixth in the men'x 4x400-meter relay (3:35.55) with a quartet consisting of LUca Cutraro, LaRowe, Zachary Cross and Thomas Lyons.

The Bulldogs are back in action next weekend as selected student-athletes head to California for the prestigious Mt. Sac Relays on Thursday and Friday (April 18-19) along with the Beach Invite on Saturday (April 20).

Other members of the Bulldog squad will take part in the Al Owens Classic at Grand Valley State in Allendale on both Friday and Saturday.