Pilling Sets School Mark In Leading Bulldog Teams In Saturday Action

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University track and field teams closed out another busy weekend with action in two meets on Saturday (April 27).

Selected team members wrapped up action in the 47th annual Hillsdale "Gina Relays" hosted by Hillsdale College while other squad participants headed to Grand Rapids for the Ernie Mousseau Track and Field Classic hosted by Aquinas college at Houseman Field.

Highlighting the day was Ferris State's Jessica Pilling, who established a new school record and NCAA automatic qualifying mark by winning the hammer throw at the Aquinas meet with a toss of 187-8 (57.21m).

Christa Cwiek was fourth in the javelin (99-1) in Grand Rapids while Rachel Long placed sixth overall in the hammer throw (128-1) and was ninth overall in the discus (103-3).

In men's competition at Aquinas, Ryan Stankey earned runner-up honors in the shot put (47-3) while Travis Hauck placed sixth (41-11.25) in the same event.

JJ Vandenberg took sixth place in the men's hammer throw (160-4) while Austin Grant was eighth (156-11) and David Jimpkoski ninth (152-11) in the same event.

Derek Ash wound up eighth in the men's discus (137-2) while Sam Goode finished 12th (118-1) in the same event.

Meanwhile, at the Gina Relays, Breeann Ovokaitys came in 10th overall in the women's 1,500 meters (4:49.34).

Alyssa Osika placed 11th overall in the championship field of the 800 meters (2:15.17) at Hillsdale and was among the highest non-Division I finishers.

On the men's side, Blake Garver took eighth place in the men's 1,500 meters (3:59.19).

Ferris State will take part in the 2013 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships set for May 1-3 in Ashland, Ohio.  The meet will be held at the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex.