Bulldog Track Posts Three NCAA-Qualifying Times & 12 Personal Bests At GVSU "Tune-Up" Meet

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field teams sent selected student-athletes to their final competition prior to the 2015 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships next week as FSU competed in the Grand Valley State "Tune-Up" meet on Friday (Feb. 20) night in Allendale.

The non-scoring meet served as a final opportunity for student-athletes to compete prior to their respective conference championships and in an effort to post potential qualifying performances for the upcoming NCAA Championships. It featured athletes from several schools including FSU, GVSU, Calvin, Hope, Detroit, Central Michigan and others and was held at the Kelly Family Sports Center.

The Bulldogs had two individuals combine to set NCAA provisional qualifying times in two events with a total of 12 student-athletes setting personal bests in the meet.

FSU's Samantha Johnson set an NCAA provisional national-qualifying time in the 800 meters as she finished second in the first section in a time of 2:14.30 overall. Teammate Ashley Hamilton won the second section in 2:19.77 while senior Breeann Ovokaitys placed third in section two (2:24.35). 

Also in the 800 meters, FSU's Samantha Humphrey earned runner-up honors in section three (2:24.46) with Alyssa Cummings seventh in section two (2:30.93) and Kayla Smith eighth in section three (2:38.65).

Johnson also topped the NCAA provisional standard in winning section one of the mile run as she was clocked in 4:56.72. Ovokaitys placed right behind her in second place and also surpassed the five-minute mark and the NCAA qualifying time with a 4:59.58 showing. Humphrey placed ninth in the same field (5:09.38).

FSU had three individuals finish in the top 10 overall in the 3,000 meters as Emily Haynes came in fourth (10:35.35) and Jessica Delaney took seventh place (10:51.16) with Kristie LeSage ninth (10:57.84).

Ferris State was fourth overall in the women's 4x400-meter relay with the tandem of Cummings, Humphrey, Hamilton and Paige Koskinen clocking 4:25.02 in the race.

In the throws, Briana Raaiso placed sixth in the weight throw (51-11.25) with Rachel Long seventh (48-8.75) and Maycee Robinson 10th (42-11).

On the men's side, FSU's Damonta Madden was first in section one of the 200 meters (21.92) and had the fastest time of anyone in the competition while Maurice Nash placed second in section six (23.71) and Josh Duggan was fourth in section five (23.13). Matt Crawford came in third in section nine (24.55).

Ben Lentz recorded a fourth place finish in section four of the 400 meters (50.91) with Duggan fifth (52.55) in the same field. Nash was fourth in section six (54.21) and Crawford placed third in section seven (54.41).

FSU's Max Hodges wound up fourth in section two of the 800 meters (1:59.39), Hunter Redman was sixth (2:03.13) and Logan Hammer came in ninth in the field (2:06.60).

Meanwhile, in the mile run, Kyle Richardson was the runner-up in section two (4:24.18) and Lucas Copi was third (4:27.36) in the same race. Hammer placed 14th in section one (4:26.92) and Evan Vanosdol took 12th in section three (4:48.48).

In the 3,000 meters, Richardson finished 17th in section one (8:54.88) to lead the Bulldogs. Three others also ran in section one with Jake Morey placing fifth in section two (8:55.45) and Trevor Holowaty coming in 13th in the second section (9:14.72). FSU's Clayton Springer placed eighth in the 5,000 meters (15:55.48).

The Bulldogs also were second in section one of the men's 4x400-meter relay as the pairing of Madden, Lentz, Hodges and Duggan clocked 3:26.92 overall.

Finally, in the men's shot put, Ross Miller came in fifth (48-0.75) with Ryan Stankey sixth (47-11) and Hayden Francisco seventh (43-4.50). Miller was eighth in the weight throw (47-7.25) followed by Tyler Satkowiak in ninth place (47-4.50) with Austin Grant 11th (43-5.75), Brett Allpow 12th (42-10.75) and Francisco 14th (41-5.75).

Ferris State next heads to University Center for the 2015 GLIAC Indoor Championships hosted by Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28-March 1, of next week.

Visit this link for complete results:
http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mtrack/2014-15/files/Tune_Up_results.htm