Saturday, January 16
Ann Arbor, Mich.
All Day
Michigan State University
at
Simmons-Harvey Invitational (UM, Indiana, OSU, Purdue)
Spartan Track & Field Opens Season with Four Event Wins at Simmons-Harvey Invitational
1/16/2021 9:11:00 PM | Track and Field
Michigan State racked up 11 personal bests to begin the season.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michigan State track & field opened the 2021 indoor season with a solid performance at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday. Due to COVID-19 protocol, the meet was split into men and women's sessions.
On the day, the Spartans won four events with 11 personal bests between the two teams.
"Today was really a lot about back getting to actual competition. We had to get back to a competitive mindset both emotionally and mentally. The Big Ten is such a competitive conference across all events. This was such a great opportunity to get into that frame of mind," Interim Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa (Senakiewich) Breznau said after her first meet at the helm of the Spartans. "We are just getting back to getting a certain outlet and approach on meet day. We know that the physical side will come. After getting back from winter break, we are just getting back to practice. We know the physical will come with more work, but it was nice to see them do the things that we asked them to do."
On the women's side, four different Spartans earned event titles. Junior Rebecca Mammel was the first  Michigan State athlete to capture an event title on the season, winning the weight throw with a personal-best throw of 22.19m. Senior Nikole Sargent also had a PR in the shot put with a throw of 15.75m, finishing second.Â
Sophomore Olivia Lopez won the long jump with a personal-best jump of 5.73m. Junior Sophia Franklin tied for first in the pole vault with Indiana's Anna Watson, with a vault of 4.06m. To end the meet, junior Jenna Magness captured the highly-competitive 3,000m with a PR time of 9:20.65. Her previous best was 9:33.96 at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational last season.Â
"Certainly a huge standout for us today was Becca (Mammel) to start the meet. She helped create that energy that we talked about. She helped the ladies really supporting one another. Sophia also had a great day. Jenna was excellent ending with the win in a really deep field in the 3k," Breznau said.
The meet began with the men's session, where sophomore Antonio Postell collected sixth in the 60m dash with a time of 6.93. Junior Trevor Stephenson finished second in the pole vault with a height of 4.82m.
The Spartans had six athletes competing in the 3,000m race. Sophomore Abdi Ahmed led Michigan State, finishing seventh with a time of 8:14.32, which was a personal best. Junior Steven Stine (8:21.44) and senior Zacary Wright-Fisher (8:31.88) also had PRs.
"On the men's side, we had some guys show some grit. Steven Stine represented us well in terms of decision making in his race. Abdi Ahmed also performed well with a PR in the 3k. In the same way, Antonio Postell looked good with the limited time we were able to be together," Breznau added.
"It was definitely different today, having created our own energy without any fans, especially with the men competing first then women following up. As a coaching staff, you have a way to watch and learn so to speak," Brezau added. "With no fans or family support and we are traveling with smaller roster, you are responsible for creating energy. The women did a great job, supporting one another even during down times. They genuinely engaged with one another. Meet days are the only time everyone is together at the same time. So we had to learn to focus in and create atmosphere."
Michigan State returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Indiana Quad meet in Bloomington, Indiana. MSU will compete against Big Ten foes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State and Purdue.
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On the day, the Spartans won four events with 11 personal bests between the two teams.
"Today was really a lot about back getting to actual competition. We had to get back to a competitive mindset both emotionally and mentally. The Big Ten is such a competitive conference across all events. This was such a great opportunity to get into that frame of mind," Interim Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa (Senakiewich) Breznau said after her first meet at the helm of the Spartans. "We are just getting back to getting a certain outlet and approach on meet day. We know that the physical side will come. After getting back from winter break, we are just getting back to practice. We know the physical will come with more work, but it was nice to see them do the things that we asked them to do."
On the women's side, four different Spartans earned event titles. Junior Rebecca Mammel was the first  Michigan State athlete to capture an event title on the season, winning the weight throw with a personal-best throw of 22.19m. Senior Nikole Sargent also had a PR in the shot put with a throw of 15.75m, finishing second.Â
Sophomore Olivia Lopez won the long jump with a personal-best jump of 5.73m. Junior Sophia Franklin tied for first in the pole vault with Indiana's Anna Watson, with a vault of 4.06m. To end the meet, junior Jenna Magness captured the highly-competitive 3,000m with a PR time of 9:20.65. Her previous best was 9:33.96 at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational last season.Â
"Certainly a huge standout for us today was Becca (Mammel) to start the meet. She helped create that energy that we talked about. She helped the ladies really supporting one another. Sophia also had a great day. Jenna was excellent ending with the win in a really deep field in the 3k," Breznau said.
The meet began with the men's session, where sophomore Antonio Postell collected sixth in the 60m dash with a time of 6.93. Junior Trevor Stephenson finished second in the pole vault with a height of 4.82m.
The Spartans had six athletes competing in the 3,000m race. Sophomore Abdi Ahmed led Michigan State, finishing seventh with a time of 8:14.32, which was a personal best. Junior Steven Stine (8:21.44) and senior Zacary Wright-Fisher (8:31.88) also had PRs.
"On the men's side, we had some guys show some grit. Steven Stine represented us well in terms of decision making in his race. Abdi Ahmed also performed well with a PR in the 3k. In the same way, Antonio Postell looked good with the limited time we were able to be together," Breznau added.
"It was definitely different today, having created our own energy without any fans, especially with the men competing first then women following up. As a coaching staff, you have a way to watch and learn so to speak," Brezau added. "With no fans or family support and we are traveling with smaller roster, you are responsible for creating energy. The women did a great job, supporting one another even during down times. They genuinely engaged with one another. Meet days are the only time everyone is together at the same time. So we had to learn to focus in and create atmosphere."
Michigan State returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Indiana Quad meet in Bloomington, Indiana. MSU will compete against Big Ten foes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State and Purdue.
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track and Field
Hurdles/Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
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