Michigan State University
Hillsdale Relays
Spartans Complete First Day Of Competition At Hillsdale Relays
4/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
April 29, 2006
HILLSDALE, Mich. - The Michigan State women's track and field team wrapped up the first day of competition at the Hillsdale Relays, late Friday evening. Sophomore Nicole Bush sparked a strong showing from the Spartan distance runners, with a first-place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Bush, who had already regionally qualified in the event, shaved nearly 19 seconds off of her personal-best time, turning in a 10:21.97. Bush's time ranks her in the nation's top-10 this season and is the second fastest steeplechase performance in the Big Ten during the 2006 outdoor campaign.
Emily Adama finished third in the steeplechase competition, racing to a personal best time of 10:47.85. Adama's time also ranked among the top-10 in the Big Ten this season and qualified her for NCAA Regional competition.
Led by 800-meter regional qualifier Aimee Keenan's opening leg of 2:09.00, the 4x800 meter-relay team turned in an impressive time of 8:58.96 to stake its claim to first place. Senior Sarah Stornant clinched the race for the Spartans, netting an anchor-leg time of 2:14.00, while seniors Megan and Shannon Radermacher also posted strong-split times for the Green and White.
Senior Michelle Rafferty placed sixth in the 5,000 meters. With a time of 16:47.99, the Carmel, Ind., native garnered her second NCAA Regional Qualifying time of the outdoor season. Meanwhile, freshman Michelle Mercer collected a 17:36.81, while running unnattached, to qualify for the U.S. Junior Olympics, while classmate Diane Hamilton turned in a personal-best performance, with a time of 18:12.78.
Sophomore Etienne Chaplin posted a total of 5,050 points to easily outdistance the field in the heptathalon; Christine Hendricks of Calvin College placed second totaling just 4,894 points. Chaplin's teammate, freshman Megan Strachota finished seventh, garnering 4,024 points in the process.
In the long jump competition, the Spartans received a pair of strong performances from senior Taren James and sophomore Chaquerra Allen. James placed second, leaping 19-2 1/2 to narrowly defeat her teammate, who finished in third-place posting a jump of 19-0 1/2.
Michigan State wraps up competition at the Hillsdale Relays on Saturday, April 29. Following tomorrow's competition, the Spartans will return home in preparation for the 2006 Big Ten Championships, May 12-14, at the Ralph Young Track and Field.
