Women Compete on Final Day of Jesse Owens
The University of Findlay men's and women's track and field teams competed on Day 2 of the Jesse Owens Track Classic held at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, April 19th.
Women
In shot put, junior Kendra Averesch earned a fourth place finish with her toss of 49'04.25". This throw is an automatic qualifier for the NCAA National Championship meet.
In the 4x400 meter relay, the Findlay squad of sophomore Maud Sanmiquel, freshman Kadesha Roberts, junior Shelby Stump, and freshman Adrianna Powell-Lawrence earned third place with their time of 3:51.42. Sanmiquel also competed in the 400 meter hurdles and took fourth with her time of 1:01.43. Powell-Lawrence was also a multi-event athlete and placed 15th in the 400 meter dash with her time of 57.85.
Sophomore Lydia Guagenti finished in third place in the high jump as she soared to a height of 5'05".
In the 800 meter run, sophomore Samantha Grippe ran a 2:14.23, just .23 away from an NCAA provisional time, but good enough for a ninth place finish.
Men
Junior Justin Welch, who has already qualified for the national championship meet, took third in the hammer throw with his toss of 71.20m or 233'07". This performance sets a new school record in the event, is the fourth furthest throw in the nation this year across all NCAA divisions and, not only is the new distance to beat in DII this season, but is the furthest throw in the history of DII outdoor track and field breaking the mark set in last year's National Championship by Ashland's Garrett Grey.
Junior Dillon Webster again met the NCAA provisional in the 800 meter run and took first place with his time of 1:50.71.
Freshman Derek Collins earned himself a sixth place finish in the long jump competition. He jumped to a distance of 22'06.50".
The Oilers will take the track next weekend, Thursday, April 24th through Saturday, April 26th as they compete at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, PA and at the Ashland Alumni Open in Ashland, OH.