Ferris State Track Athletes Combine For Strong Showing At SVSU Classic

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's indoor track and field teams returned to action on Friday (Jan. 10) evening as the Bulldogs competed in the Saginaw Valley State Classic in University Center.

The Bulldogs sent a large group of selected student-athletes to the non-scoring competition, which also included athletes from across the region from schools such as SVSU, Oakland, Siena Heights and unattached competitors.

Ferris State's Sydney Dawes won the women's 800 meters (2:31.08) with Sydney Kubiak third (2:40.16), Callie Delaney fourth (2:41.61) and Katrina Droski fifth (2:45.38). Christine Rogers came in sixth (3:41.73) as FSU had five of the top six place finishers.

In the mile run, senior Katie Etelamaki earned runner-up honors (5:09.60) with Kylie Hutchinson third (5:15.72), Carissa Schurr fourth (5:18.92) and Taylor Thrush fifth (5:18.92). Overall, the Bulldogs came away with 16 of the top 18 spots in the race.

Etelamaki also took fourth place in the 3,000 meters (10:34.35) with Paige Deitering seventh (11:04.86) and Kylie Hutchinson eighth (11:21.85).

The Bulldogs' Madison Hammer placed second in the 600 meters (1:44.98) with Megan Dopheide fourth (1:51.06).

FSU's Allyson Faulkner was 10th in the 400 meters (1:05.69).

In the field events, Amanda Eslinger tied for second place in the high jump (1.54m) and Faulkner was 10th in the long jump (4.43m).

FSU's Brianna Copley was the runner-up in the shot put (12.59m) with Emma Stephayn fifth in the weight throw (14.01m).

Ferris State took fourth place in the women's 4x400-meter relay with the tandem of Hammer, Jennifer Eaton, Schurr and Thrush clocking 4:19.43.

On the men's side, FSU's Logan Williams won the 600 meters (1:26.32) with Ethan Hamilton second (1:26.39). Kolin Ghidoni was fifth in the 800 meters (2:05.11) and Brendan Deneen placed sixth (2:05.56) in the same race.

In the men's 200 meters, Ben Menapace came in seventh (23.30) with Brett Robertson ninth (23.61). Menapace also took fifth place in the 400 meters (50.66).

FSU's Aaron Jarema finished fourth in the mile (4:32.29), Weston Rackley placed fifth (4:35.02) and Donis Harris was sixth (4:36.16). The same three runners also were in the top eight in the 3,000 meters with Rackley sixth (9:05.59) followed by Jarema in seventh (9:11.16) and Harris eighth (9:14.29).

Robertson wound up fifth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.38) and Harrison Hayes was sixth (9.38). Forrest Akers finished seventh in the shot put (12.76m) with Trevor Roznowski sixth in the weight throw (13.46m).

The men's contingent of Menapace, Hamilton, Deneen and Williams finished second in the 4x400-meter relay (3:32.45).

Ferris State will next take part in the Grand Valley State Open on Jan. 17 in Allendale, Mich.