Ferris State Track & Field Teams Open Busy Weekend Of Action

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams opened a busy weekend of action in two different meets with more action to come on Saturday (April 20).

Senior runner Ryan Chute of the men's squad opened the weekend action by competing in the 1,500 meters at the prestigious Mt. Sac Relays on Thursday (April 18) evening in Walnut, Calif.  The meet, which is tabbed as "where the world's best athletes compete", is held at historic Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College.

Chute came in 14th overall in section three of the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:51.83 overall.  His time was 58th among more than 130 runners taking part in the event.

In addition to Chute, FSU's Alyssa Osika represented the women's squad on Friday at the Mt. Sac Relays and took fourth place in section five of the 800 meters with a clocking of 2:12.45.  Her time finished 42nd overall in a deep and competitive field.

While Chute and Osika competed at the Mt. Sac Relays, the rest of the Bulldog team opened action at the Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale on Friday.  However, events were suspended due to inclement weather with high winds and snow halting field event action after the prelims.  No results are yet available.

The Al Owens Classic will get underway again on Saturday (April 20) morning at 8 a.m. (ET) with the field events followed by the rest of the day's events at 11 a.m. (ET).  More than 775 student-athletes from 17 schools are competing in the event.

In addition to the athletes competing at GVSU on Saturday, both Chute and Osika along with Shea Van Klompenberg will all take part in the Beach Invitational in California.  Chute will run the 1,500 meters again with Osika and Van Klompenberg taking part in the 800 meters.  The Beach Invitational is hosted by Long Beach State University on the campus of Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.