Ferris State Track Records Two NCAA-Qualifying Marks & Sets New School Record At Al Owens Classic

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's track and field teams jumped back into action this weekend as the Bulldogs took part in the annual Al Owens Classic on Friday and Saturday (April 21-22) hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale.

The Bulldogs posted a pair of NCAA National Qualifying performances and recorded two all-time top-five outdoor marks in school history, including a new school record.

A total of 26 team were represented in either the men's or women's competition in a large field that included student-athletes from schools at all levels across the state and region, including several Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member institutions.

Ferris State's Jon Cok earned runner-up honors and set a new school record in the high jump with a leap of 6-11' 1/2". The performance also surpassed the NCAA national-qualifying mark. His jump topped the previous school mark set by Joe Mielke in 2006 by a quarter of an inch.

Meanwhile, Cody Stillwell placed second in the hammer throw with a toss of 199-0, which is the second-best all-time throw in FSU outdoor history. He also reached the national-qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships with his throw.

Ferris State's Hayden Francisco was the runner-up in the javelin (174-10) as the Bulldog men had three second-place finishes in the competition.

The Bulldogs' Damien Halverson came in 13th in the 5,000 meters (15:55.36) and Gunner Meyer was 14th in the javelin (136-1).

Casey Neal placed 17th in the 1,500 meters (4:01.86) and Ross Miller was 17th in the hammer throw (162-8). FSU's Tyler Satkowiak wound up 19th in the hammer (161-4) with Francisco coming in 20th (160-10) in the highly-competitive field.

In addition, Ja'Juan Pollock finished 19th in the long jump (18-9).

Ferris State also took 10th place in the men's 4x400-meter relay with the tandem of Nate Meyer, Hunter Redman, Lucas Harris and Chris Triffo clocking 3:28.57 overall.

On the women's side, the Bulldogs' Molly Emerick clocked 2:12.51 in placing third overall in the 800 meters.

Sarah Utchel came in seventh overall in the 200 meters (25.45). She also posted the 10th-fastest time in the 100 meters (12.49).

Reina Troxell took 10th place in the discus (132-2) and 12th place in the shot put (36-11.50). Meanwhile, Maycee Robinson was 16th in the discus (126-5).

FSU's Kelly Babcock finished 16th in the 5,000 meters (19:19.48) and Hannah Price was 16th in the 100-meter hurdles (16.16).

Kathryn Etelamaki placed 17th in the 1,500 meters (4:49.69) while Emily Haynes came in 18th (4:49.71) in the same race, which included more than 100 participants.

The Bulldogs will next be in action April 28-29 at the annual Hillsdale "Gina" Relays.