Strong Performances For Bulldog Track Squad At Al Owens Classic

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University track and field teams got back on the track over the weekend by competing in the annual Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale.

The event took place on the GVSU campus, which will also play host to both the upcoming GLIAC Championships and NCAA Division II National Championships during the month of May.

The Bulldogs had three of the top eight finishers in the women's 5,000 meters with Hanna Brock earning runner-up honors (18:11.23) followed by Sydney Kubiak in fourth place (18:17.07) and Melanea Strauss in eighth (18:55.14).

FSU's Danae Fledpausch came in sixth overall in the 800 meters (2:21.07). Callie Delaney was ninth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (12:22.76).

In the field events, Claudia Wilkinson placed fifth in the high jump (4-11.75) with Emma Stephayn fifth in the hammer throw (156-11). Brianna Copley took sixth in the discus (149-2) and Stephayn was ninth (123-3).

Ferris State also placed ninth in the women's 4x400-meter relay with the tandem of Makayla Roberts, Daisy Englund, Feldpausch and Kayla Muth clocking 4:20.51 overall.

In the men's action, Ferris State's Donis Harris won the 5,000 meters (15:03.86) while Noah Griffith placed sixth (15:29.72) and Dan Hardesty came in ninth (15:34.73). The Bulldogs' Ray Lee came in ninth in the 100 meters (10.79).

Meanwhile, in field event action, FSU's Forrest Akers placed second in the shot put (43-3.25) and was also fourth in the discus (133-3). FSU's Jason Keena finished fourth in the javelin (146-7) while Jake Zammitta took seventh place in the shot put (46-0.75) and was 11th in the hammer throw (119-5).

FSU's men's 4x400-meter relay squad of Ben Menapace, Randall Kuch, Noah Jones and Andrew Shaffley came in 11th overall (3:35.03).

The Bulldogs next head to the annual Hillsdale Gina Relays set for April 28-29 along with the Davenport Invitational on April 30.