FSU Track Opens 2012 Outdoor Campaign

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams officially opened the 2012 outdoor campaign by taking part in the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State on Friday and Saturday (March 30-31) in Raleigh, N.C.

The meet is one of the largest in the South and included student-athletes from all levels cf competition.

On the women's side, FSU's Shelby Janutol won section III of the 1,500 meters (4:31.21) while Samantha Johnson took fourth place (4:35.42) in the same race.  

The Bulldogs' Anna Rudd was the runner-up in section II of the 5,000 eters (16:47.86) with senior Tina Muir coming in third in section I of the 5,000 meters (16:10.55).

Jordan McGuire took eighth in section IV of the 5,000 (18:27.32), Jessica Pilling placed eighth in the hammer throw (176-5) and Christina Cwiek was 18th in the javelin (107-7).

FSU took fourth in the women's 4x1500-meter relay (19:13.86) with a quartet of Muir, Rudd, Johnson and Brittany Anderson.

The Bulldog contingent of Zoey Hohmann, Shea Van Klompenberg, Johnston and Janutol came in ninth overall in the 4x800-meter relay (9:32.27).

On the men's side, Tyler Crossman placed first in section V of the 5,000 meters (15:05.68).

Spencer Gerber finished sixth in the 1,500 meters section 5-8 (3:59.16) with Blake Garvertaking 13th place (4:00.57) and Alex Bladecki coming in 14th (4:00.58) in the same race.

The Bulldogs' J.J. Vandenberg placed 12th in the hammer throw (158-5), Ryan Stankey was 17th in the shot put (49-3), Alex Best wound up 18th in section V of the 5,000 meters (15:56.50) and Ryan Chute was 25th in section IV of the 5,000 meters (15:37.74).

The Ferris State foursome of Chute, Crossman, Gerber and Best placed fifth in the 4x1500-meter relay (16:13.97).

FSU's group of Connor LaRowe, Garver, Bladecki and Justin Price took 11th place in the 4x800-meter relay (7:51.20).

The Bulldogs return to Big Rapids to host their annual Bulldog Invitational on Saturday, April 7, at FSU's Top Taggart Field.  Action gets underway at 11 a.m. (ET).