Michigan State University
Findlay Open
Spartans Shine In First Day of Competition
2/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Feb. 9, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Spartan track team continued preparations for the Big Ten Indoor Championships, with a first-place finish by Anna Coster in the pentathlon and Erica Bailey broke the school record in the 20-pound weight throw.
Anna Coster nabbed first place on Friday afternoon in the pentathlon, held on the campus of Findlay (Ohio) University, with 3,590 points. She led the second-place finisher, Boudine Bouma of Cincinnati, by 88 points.
"The main goal of this meet was to prepare for the Big Ten Championships in two weeks," assistant coach Chris Bostwick said. "She still has things to work on, but we are on the right path."
Coster began the five-event competition with a 9.28 in the 60 meter hurdles, a 1.6 meter (5'3") high jump and a throw of 10.95 meters (35'11¼") in the shot put. She ended the pentathlon with a 5.33 meter (17'6") long jump and a 2:24.83 800m run, which she placed in first for both events.
"Her marks in the first three events were average, but she really stepped it up at the end of the competition for the first-place finish," Bostwick said.
At the Iowa State Classic, fifth-year senior thrower Bailey set a personal-best and a school record for the Spartans in the 20-pound weight throw with a toss of 18.5 meters (60'8½"). The school record, held previously by Sarah Adelaine 18.17 meters (59' 7½"), has been upheld since 2004.
"Bailey has done well all season and it finally came together for her tonight," assistant coach Chris Campbell. "Hopefully, it can translate at the Big Ten Championships," said assistant coach Chris Campbell.
The hurdlers also excelled at the Iowa State Classic during day one. Senior John Childress completed another good race, with a 7.95 run in the 60m hurdles that qualified him for the further heats on Saturday.
"Childress has become a lot more consistent over the past three meets," assistant coach Randy Gillon said. "He qualified for tomorrow's semifinals with the second-fastest time, and he has positioned himself well for being a contender in the finals."
Also in the hurdles, junior Jackie Walton won her 60m hurdles heat and qualified for the semifinals with a time of 8.69.
The team will continue at day two of the Iowa State Classic on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with the women's 3,000-meter run. The Spartan jumpers and various distance competitors and sprinters will compete in the Eastern Michigan Classic in Ypsilanti, Mich. The first event is slatted for 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Players Mentioned
