Michigan State University
Drake Relays
Spartans Finish Day One Competition Of Split Weekend
4/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
April 27, 2007
Hillsdale Relays Day One Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Split between two meets, the Michigan State track and field team continued to improve two weeks before the Big Ten Championship on April 11-13.
At the Drake Relays on Thursday night, Alissa McKaig improved on her time in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:20.70 for a second-place finish. Nicole Bush came in behind her in fourth place in a time of 16:31.06. In her first 5,000-meter of the year, Sarah Price posted a 17:05.10 for a 13th-place finish.
"We are still exploring how much we are really capable of in the 5,000-meter race," assistant coach Rita Arndt-Molis. "We went out conservatively, but we could have probably gone out a lot more aggressive if we wanted to. Sarah did a great job today and she passed a handful of people in the last 1,000-meters of the race. She really turned it up."
Melinda Buckmaster excelled once again in the javelin with a personal-best distance of 47.59 meters (156-02), shattering her old record by almost four inches. The senior finished the event in seventh place.
"Melinda continues to improve and for her to set a personal-best distance at a big meet like the Drake Relays, says a lot about her competitiveness," said assistant coach Chris Campbell. "Each week she improves."
Mark Langlois cleared 5.05 meters (16-7) in the pole vault. The senior tied for fourth place with four other pole vaulters and it was the third time that he has exceeded the NCAA-regional mark this season.
John Childress ran a 14:20 in the 110-meter hurdle prelims on Friday afternoon to advance to the finals on Saturday. Thrower Erica Bailey and triple jumpers Jonathon Allen and Taren James are also slated to compete at the Drake Relays on Saturday.
At the Hillsdale Relays, Meagan Halliwill was the highlight of the meet for the Spartans. The junior thrower finished in fifth place with a personal-best toss of 51.84 meters (170-1) in the hammer throw, improving from her previous distance of 50.61 meters (166) by four feet.
"We had some good performances," director of track and field and cross country Walt Drenth said. "People who have created some momentum are beginning to become better as we get closer to the conference meet. It is good to see our athletes make progress at this time of the year."
Michelle Mercer led the women in the 5,000-meter run. She nabbed an eighth-place finish in a time of 17:16.70, for her best time as a Spartan. Katie Kelly came in closely behind her in 17:20.14 for an 11th-place finish. Ashley Casavant also shattered her best time with a time of 17:40.64 by almost 40 seconds and Sarah McCormack ran a 17:44.22 in her first 5,000-meter run of her career.
In the 5,000-meter run on the men's side, Matt Bartlebaugh finished 12th with a time of 14:25.68, taking a second off his personal-best time. Justin Zanotti also ran a personal-best 14:32.24 in the 5,000-meter run, taking almost three seconds off his time.
Leah Elenbaas just missed the NCAA-regional qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase by eight seconds, but she did grab a second-place finish in the event and posted a personal-best time of 10:58.80.
The Spartans will continue to compete at the Drake and Hillsdale Relays on Saturday afternoon.
Players Mentioned
