Ferris State Track Squads Cap Busy Weekend At Two Different Competitive Events

Big Rapids, Mich. - It was a busy weekend of action for the Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field squads as the Bulldogs sent student-athletes to two different weekend competitions.

The bulk of FSU's squads competed on Saturday (April 13) at the Davenport Panther Invitational in Caledonia while selected members also took part in the highly-prestigious Bison Outdoor Classic hosted by Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa.

FSU's Whitney Farrell placed fifth overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Bucknell meet, coming in with a time of 11:05.10 in the race. Hanna Brock finished 46th in the invitational section of the 5,000 meters (17:45.48) while Danae Feldpausch was 65th in the invitational section of the 1,500 meters (4:46.42).

Noah Griffith came in 41st overall in the 1,500 meters (4:05.49) in leading the Bulldog men's track squads at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Brandon Wirth was 51st in the 3,000 steeplechase (9:53.12).

In addition to those who competed at the Bison Outdoor Classic, the majority of FSU's roster took part in the DU Panther Invite.

On the women's side at Davenport, Lacey Zimmerman took third place in the 200 meters (26.01) while Ana Fortier was seventh (26.85). Meanwhile, Ella Kowatch was third in the 800 meters (2:25.20) and Abigail Winkle placed fifth in the 400 meters (59.52).

FSU's Kaylee Huey came in third in the 1,500 meters (5:02.47) and finished 10th in the 800 meters (2:32.54). Jessica Durkee was fourth in the 1,500 meters (5:02.95).

Ferris State also had four runners finish in the top eight in the 5,000 meters with Melanea Strauss third (18:36.27) followed by Mara Sweeney in fifth place (19:14.71), Diana Candela in sixth (19:26.70) and Emily Plouff in eighth (19:46.45).

Nyah Tyron finished second in the 400 hurdles (1:05.71) and was eighth in the 100 hurdles (16.88). Claudia Wilkinson finished third in the high jump (5-3).

The Bulldogs' Rebecca Marvin came in fourth in the shot put (39-2.25), took sixth in the hammer throw (134-10) and was eighth in the discus (113-9). Additionally, Harley Bear placed 10th in the shot (36-4.25) and was fifth in the discus (119-5). Isabel Dziadzio finished fifth in the javelin (77-10) and Eva Watkins wound up ninth in the hammer (123-3).

On the men's side at the Panther Invite, Chase Carter took third place in the 100 meters (10.91). Bryson Fronta placed third in the 200 meters (21.78) while Taariik Brett came in ninth in the 100 meters (11.28) with Blaine Rogers 11th (11.48). FSU's Dean Topolski finished 11th in the 200 (22.61).

The Bulldogs' Ben Knuth won the 5,000 meters (15:50.79) while Ryan Ososki finished second (15:51.52). Nathan Alford finished sixth in the event (16:23.97) and Ben Scott was ninth (16:44.20). Josh Oom took 12th place in the 1,500 meters (4:20.86).

Rogers placed fourth for FSU in the 110-meter hurdles (15.60) and Aaron Pierce was eighth in the long jump (21-2).

In the weight events, Devin Dennison placed eighth in the discuss (138-8) with Hunter Richardson ninth (137-5). Noah Jones was ninth in the javelin (120-4) while Dennison and Kyle Drouillard also tied for 13th in the hammer throw (140-6).

The Bulldogs will be back in action on April 19-20 at the annual Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale.