March 28, 2008

Day One Results

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Michigan State track & field team finished up first day action at the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State University on Friday night. Spartan freshman Logan Lynch took top honors in the pole vault, finishing with a vault of 4.95m (16-2 3/4).

In addition to Lynch, MSU saw many top-10 performances from its student-athletes including senior Jason Brown, as he finished fifth in the shot put with a distance of 16.85m (55-3 1/2). In the discus, freshman Anthony Agrusa came in third (48.13m/157-11), while Brown finished in sixth (43.70m/143-04). Freshman Kris Amos came in sixth in the high jump, leaping a distance of 2.05m (6-8 3/4), and the men's 4x1500m relay team crossed the finish line in eighth place, with a time of 15:57.29.

Junior Michael Smoot finish in 19th place in the field of 110, coming in with a time of 47.94 in the 400m dash, while sophomore Jake Hamilton came in 16th in the 400m hurdles, with a time of 53.85.

On the women's side, senior Meagan Halliwill came in sixth (43.93m/144-01) and freshman Ashley Lawrence finished 12th (40.10m/131-07) in the discus. Freshman Erica Mann qualified for tomorrow's finals in the 100m dash, as she finished 11th with a time of 11.95. The women's 4x1500m relay team placed fourth, coming in at 18:59.87. Junior Amber Shelters came in 13th in the 400m dash (56.51), while freshman Britanny Howard and senior Chaquerra Allen tied for 16th in the long jump, both leaping a distance of 5.43m (17-9 3/4).

"I thought we competed pretty well tonight," said MSU Director of Track & Field Walt Drenth. "With this meet we are just trying to get the sprinters, throwers and jumpers off to a good start. We've had a few good weeks of practice since the indoor championships and it was time to get outside, and I'm pleased with our performances so far."

Michigan State returns to action in the second day of competition tomorrow at the Raleigh Relays. Events will begin at 10 a.m. with the men's javelin.