Five Ferris State Individuals Win Events At Annual Hillsdale College Track Invite

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's track and field teams took part in the Hillsdale Invitational held on Saturday (April 12) in Hillsdale.

The competing schools all came from within the GLIAC - Grand Valley State, Northern Michigan, Lake Erie, Wayne State and Ferris State in addition to host Hillsdale. The FSU men's team totaled 81 points in placing fourth while the women's team came in fifth with 63 total points.

The competition was held at Hillsdale College's Ken Herrick Track on Saturday and featured some of the top talent from across the region.

Bulldog junior Breeann Ovokaitys won the 1,500 meters (4:35.36) while narrowly missing the NCAA Division II National Provisional qualification time in the race.

Ferris State's Briana Raasio won the javelin (128-9) and took fifth place in the discus (123-1) along with the hammer throw (116-8).

FSU's Zoey Hohmann took second place in the 400 meters (56.83) and finished fourth in the 200 meters (27.39). Meanwhile, Kristie LeSage was second in the 5,000 meters (19:06.50).
Alyssa Osika placed second in the 800 meters (2;15.90) while Rachel Wood took fifth place (2:21.99) in the same event.

Shea Van Klompenberg came in fifth overall in the 400 meters (59.12), Samantha Humphrey was sixth in the 1,500 meters (4:50.69), Ashley Hamilton placed seventh in the 1,500 meters (4:52.46) and Jordan Best came in eighth overall in the 1,500 meters (4:55.46). Raven Blaser took seventh in the long jump (15-8.75).

The quartet of Van Klompenberg, Osika, Wood and Hohmann was fourth overall in the 4x400-meter relay (4:03.59).

The men's team was paced in the distance events by senior Alex Bladecki, who won the 1,500 meters (3:58.12), along with senior David Silversmith, who won the 5,000 meters (15:24.68).

Lucas Johnson was victorious in the hammer throw (182-0) and reached a Division II National Provisional distance in winning the event. He also placed seventh in the discus (138-11). 

Lucas Copi took second in the 5K (15:33.16) with Andrew Harper third (15:38.05) and Kyle Richardson fourth (16:10.42) as FSU took the top four spots in the race.

Ryan Stankey placed second in the shot put (46-3.25) and was sixth in the discus (142-5). 

FSU's Connor LaRowe placed third in the 800 meters (1:59.72) with Hunter Redman capturing fourth place (2:00.63) in the same event. Logan Hammer finished fourth in the 1,500 meters (4:06.38).

Austin Grant took fourth place in the hammer throw (164-7) with David Jimpkoski coming in fifth (154-9) in the same competition.

Senior Brian Murphy came in seventh in the 400 meters (51.69) and Tyler Weedon wound up eighth in the 1,500 meters (4:12.64).

Finally, Ferris State's grouping of Murphy, Luca Cutraro, LaRowe and Redman finished sixth in the men's 4x400 meters (3:36.03).

This week, the Bulldogs are back in action with student-athletes slated to compete in two different events. Selected participants will take part in the Mt. Sac Relays on Thursday and Friday (April 17-18) held in Walnut, Calif., with the bulk of the squad taking part in the Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State on Friday and Saturday (April 18-19) in Allendale.