Strong Weekend Of Action Against Top Competition For Ferris State Track Squads

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field squads competed against some of the country's best as the Bulldogs took part in a pair of events over the weekend.

A selected group of Bulldog competitors were in action at the Bison Outdoor Classic hosted by Bucknell University over the weekend in Lewisburg, Pa. The event consisted of athletes from across the country from schools at all levels of competition.

The Bulldog women were led by Danae Fledpausch as she placed 24th in the 1,500 meters (4:47.60) with Callie Delaney 57th (4:55.96) and Daisy Englund 67th (4:59.16) in the race.

Additionally, Hanna Brock placed 37th in the 5,000 meters (17:42.00) with Sydney Kubiak 47th (18:00.84).

The men's squad was led in the Bison Outdoor Classic by Brandon Wirth, who took 28th overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, timed in 9:41.81 overall. Noah Griffith placed 57th in the 1,500 meters (4:03.48) while Dan Hardesty was 72nd (4:05.63) in the race and Donis Harris came in 73rd in the 5,000 meters (15:05.56).

Along with the Bison Outdoor Classic, the Bulldogs also had student-athletes compete at the Don Kleinow Memorial Invitational hosted by Siena Heights in Adrian, Mich.

FSU's Ray Lee came in fourth overall in the 100 meters (11.28) while Ben Menapace was sixth in the 400 meters (52.87) and Randall Kuch took ninth (54.47) in the race. Andrew Shafley placed 10th in the 800 meters (2:04.99).

In the longer events, Kevin Wilson finished second in the 5,000 meters (16:15.58) with Brendan Cairney third (16:20.61). Andrew Yaworski finished fifth in the 1,500 meters (4:26.41) and Nathan Alford was fifth in the 10,000 meters (34:27.81). The Bulldogs' were also third in the men's 4x400-meter relay with the combination of Menapace, Kuch, Wilson and Shafley clocking 3:39.69.

FSU's Jason Keena earned a fourth-place finish in the javelin (158-0). Forest Akers was fifth in the shot put (43-5.25) with Jake Zammitta sixth (43-5) in the shot put along with seventh in the hammer throw (133-3). Kyle Drouillard finished eighth in the hammer (127-7).

On the women's side, Melanea Strauss won the 5,000 meters (18:31.08) with Amelia Topolinski third (19:07.64) and Hannah Loucks fourth (19:20.20) with Lauren Sinnaeve sixth (19:38.64). Kaylee Huey came in second in the 1,500 meters (5:14.41) with Katrina Droski fifth (5:17.86). Diana Candela finished third in the 10,000 meters (42:08.81).

FSU's Brianna Copley won the shot put (45-3.5) while Emma Stephayn was third in the hammer throw (157-4). Claudia Wilkinson placed fifth in the high jump (4-11).

The Bulldogs will head to Allendale on Friday and Saturday, April 22-23, for the annual Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State University.