Spartans Wrap Up Action at the Raleigh Relays

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Michigan State track and field program closed out its first weekend of outdoor season on Saturday, posting four podium finishes on the third and final day of the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State's Paul Derr Track & Field Facility.

After the Spartans opened the three-day meet with John Petruno setting a new school outdoor record in the men's 1500m on Thursday, MSU continued that success through Friday and into Saturday with top-8 finishes and personal records littering the results for Michigan State.

"I think it was a solid start," said Director of Track and Field Lisa Breznau. "We haven't been outside for very long, and some of the time that we have been outside hasn't been incredibly ideal. It's March in Michigan. For the amount of work in the transition from indoor to outdoor, I think we started in a really positive place across the board. This particular meet is three long days where you're outside the entire time and, even though it is nicer conditions, I think the athletes did a good job of making the most of it and supporting one another. They had a marathoner mindset to approach this weekend. We're excited for what's to come. As I told them tonight, it's March and there's a lot more work to go, which means there's a lot more progress to be made."

Saturday began with Olivia Lopez registering a PR of 5.87m in the women's long jump on her first of eight leaps, ending up in third place for the event.

The Spartans then had a trio of runners notch top-25 times in the women's 800m, as Lauren Freeland crossed the finish line in a personal-record 2:08.80 to place 13th, while Katie Osika had the 18th-best time at 2:09.26 in her first outdoor 800m race and Melanie Helder placed 23rd with a 2:09.81 PR, as all three were coming off personal-record times the day before in the 1500m event.

The 200m distance was also notable for the Spartans, as Shakira Dancy posted a 24.16 time in the women's 200m to place sixth, while Jaiden Paris ran a 24.62 PR for 20th place and her second personal record of the weekend (13.59 in 100m Hurdles on Friday). On the men's side, Terrence Muex opened his first collegiate outdoor campaign by running a 21.11 to take second place in the men's 200m event.

The Spartans wrapped up the day with Quiara Wheeler registering a 59.61m toss in the women's hammer throw, putting her in seventh place.

"I think the quality of competition and the new faces this early in the season just sets the bar high," added Breznau. "We all have high expectations, and then we're competing against a competitive field, so it keeps that mindset sharp. In terms of the field size, it puts you in that sort of championship mindset of how you're going to have to behave when the meet is three days. Our Big Ten Championships are three days, the NCAA East Preliminary Round is four days and it's the same with the National Championships, and you have to be able to go in where a lot can change in terms of weather shifting the meet around. You need to be flexible with those changes and not overreact. So, I think starting with that type of meet here sets the tone for the expectations going forward."

Up next for Michigan State is the Spartan Invite on April 1-2 at Ralph Young Field. It will be the first outdoor home meet for MSU since 2019.

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Players Mentioned

Shakira Dancy

Lauren Freeland

Melanie Helder

Olivia Lopez

Tee Muex

Katie Osika

Jaiden Paris

John Petruno

Quiara Wheeler