Spartan Track & Field Looks Sharp on Day One of B1G North Florida Invitational

Friday, April 2

Jacksonville, Fla.

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Michigan State University

B1G North Florida Invitational

Spartan Track & Field Looks Sharp on Day One of B1G North Florida Invitational

4/2/2021 9:31:00 PM | Track and Field

Live Results Saturday Schedule

EAST LANSING, Mich. - On the first day of action at the B1G North Florida Invitational, the Michigan State track & field saw many bright spots in the Big Ten-only meet in Jacksonville, Florida.

Iowa is hosting this Big Ten neutral-site event that will be held at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium.

Senior Wade Walder had a busy day for the Spartans, starting with the long jump. On his third attempt, Walder had his longest jump (6.70m) to finish 16th. Sophomore Adoni Kirkland was also in action for the Spartans with a best jump of 6.46m.

Walder continued his strong day with a personal best in the 110m hurdles. He finished with a time of 14.66, while sophomore Ryan Talbot clocked in with a time of 14.74. In the 100m prelims, Antonio Postell just missed qualifying for the final with a time of 10.69.

In the women's open long jump, junior Olivia Lopez finished with a jump of 5.64m on her second attempt.

Junior Jaiden Paris had a strong showing in the women's 100m hurdles. With a season-best time of 14.21, Paris finished fifth to advance to Saturday's final. Paris will be back in action in the final at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday. Freshman Kaia Scheffler finished 21st with a time of 13.34. Lopez also competed in the prelims of the 100m hurdles. In her first outdoor 100m hurdle race, she finished with a time of 16.47.

Senior Nikole Sargent finished sixth in the open shot put. On her final of six throws, Sargent reached 14,72m. Fellow senior Jerimiah Evans finished seventh in the men's shot put invite. Evans reached his best throw of 17.15m on his sixth and final throw.

On Saturday, three Spartans will start the action in the morning in the open portion of the men's discus as Walder, Talbot and senior Dan Stone will take center stage. Evans will compete in the invitational portion of the discus later in the day. Evans is currently second in the league (57.28m).

Pole vaulters Sophia Franklin and Calli Ostapowicz on the women's side and Trevor Stephenson and Ryan Talbot will also be among the Spartans in action.

The meet will conclude with the women's and men's 4x400 relays.

The University of North Florida will host the NCAA First Round May 28-29.