Bulldog Track & Field Produces Strong Showing In Two Weekend Events

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams continued final preparations for the 2014 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships by participating in a pair of different West Michigan meets this past weekend.

Several Bulldog student-athletes posted season-best performances in the competition at both events on the Bulldog slate.

The Ernie Mousseau Track & Field Classic, which was hosted by Aquinas College, took part at Houseman Field in Grand Rapids on Saturday (April 26) and included competitors from institutions in West Michigan such as FSU, Aquinas, Calvin, Hope, Northwood, Davenport, Cornerstone, Alma, Saginaw Valley State and others.

Briana Raasio won the javelin (121-9) and also placed eighth overall in the discus (134-8) along with 10th in the hammer throw (132-1). Erika Roe came in ninth overall in the 800 meters (2:23.32)

On the men's side, Lucas Johnson placed second overall in the hammer throw (185-9) while moving into third-place all-time on FSU's outdoor performance chart in the event. Austin Grant placed sixth (166-11) in the hammer throw.

FSU's Brian Murphy was fourth in the 400 meters (51.45) with teammate Hunter Redman coming in fifth overall (52.36). Ryan Stankey was fourth in the shot put (46-8.25) and also placed eighth in the discus (145-00).

Hayden Francisco took sixth place in the javelin (136-3) while Thomas Lyons finished 10th in the 400 meters (54.41) and took 11th place overall in the 200 meters (23.89).

The competition in Grand Rapids came on the heels of a strong showing at the 48th annual Hillsdale "Gina" Relays, which were held on Thursday and Friday (April 24-25) in Hillsdale, Mich. The large meet incldued competitors from all levels of competition from throughout the country.

Shea Van Klompenberg placed third overall in the 400 meters (58.65) with senior Zoey Hohmann taking third place in the 200 meters (25.48). Hohmann also finished sixth in the championship section of the 400 meters (57.42) while freshman Samantha Humphrey took ninth place in the open division of the 1,500 meters (4:53.07).

The Bulldogs' Damonta Madden was fifth overall in the championship section of the 100 meters (10.73) and also came in sixth overall in the 200 meters (21.68).

Alex Bladecki finished sixth in the 800 meters (1:54.24) with senior Bill King coming in ninth (1:54.86) overall. King also placed sixth overall in the 1,500 meters (4:00.55).

Lucas Copi took ninth place in the 5,000-meter open race (15:00.09), which included 144 participants. Freshman Ja'Juan Pollock was ninth overall in the 100 meters (11.02).

The Bulldogs will next take part in the 2014 GLIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio, this upcoming Wednesday (Apr. 30) through Friday (May 2) at the SPIRE Institute.