MSU Track & Field Set For Len Paddock Invite

May 8, 2008

COMING UP
The Michigan State track & field team will compete in its last event before the Big Ten Championships, as it travels to Ann Arbor for the Len Paddock Invite, hosted by Michigan. Events are scheduled to begin on Friday at 11 a.m. with the women's hammer throw. Track events will start at 6:30 p.m. with the men's 400m hurdles.

LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State had a strong start in the first day of competition at the Jesse Owens Track Classic last weekend.

MSU saw two regional-qualifying marks set in the women's 1500m as senior Lisa Senakiewich placed second at 4:24.24 and sophomore Emily MacLeod finished in third with a time of 4:25.71. Senakiewich's finish marks the third time she has claimed a regional-qualifying mark in as many events this season.

In the second day of competition, sophomore Ian Boyle turned in one of many strong performances on the night for the Spartans, finishing fourth in the men's 800m run, hitting a regional mark of 1:49.98.

Freshman Kyron Foster also claimed a regional-qualifying distance in the men's triple jump, placing third overall with a leap of 15.27m (50-1 1/4).

Freshman Zoe Pelbart had another solid performance in the women's javelin, finishing third with regional-qualifying toss of 48.42m (158-10), nearly two meters further than her previous season-best of 46.48m, as she claimed her third top-three finish of the season. Sophomore Scott Beals had his second-best throw of the season in the men's javelin, placing third with a launch of 60.92m (199-10), finishing in the top-three for the fifth time this year.

Freshman Erica Mann had a season-best finish in the women's 200m, coming in ninth with a time of 24.38, and finishing in the top-10 for the fifth time in as many competitions this season.

REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
Six women and four men have qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships held on May 30-31 in Fayetteville, Ark. Senior Meagan Halliwill has six qualifying performances this season, with her best effort coming last week at the Jesse Owens Track Classic, as she finished sixth with a toss of 57.80m (189-7 1/2). Senior Lisa Senakiewich has run sub-qualifying standards in all three 1500m events she has competed in this season, while also qualifying for the 5000m run at the Gina Relays with a time of 16:35.00. Also hitting regional-qualifying marks for the Spartan women this year are freshman pole vaulter Katie Shaw (3.85m/12-7 1/2), freshman javelin thrower Zoe Pelbart (48.42m/158-10), senior Jackie Walton in the 100m hurdles (13.78) and sophomore distance runner Emily MacLeod in the 5000m (16:51.62) and the 1500m (4:25.71)

On the men's side, senior Jason Brown has finished over the regional-qualifying standard in five competitions this season in the shot put, with his best toss coming at the Colonial Relays (4/4) with a distance of 17.57m (57-2 3/4). Other qualifiers for the men include freshman Kyron Foster in the triple jump (15.27m/50-1 1/4), junior distance runner Dustin Voss in the 3000m steeplechase (9:02.53) and sophomore Ian Boyle in the 800m (1:49.98).

SENIOR SHOWCASE
Senior Meagan Halliwill has set the pace for the women's throws team in the outdoor season. Halliwill has placed in the top three in the hammer throw at all five of six meets so far this season, including three first-place finishes. Halliwill also took top honors in back-to-back weeks at the Colonial Relays (4/4) and Spartan Invite (4/12) in the discus competition.

UP NEXT
Michigan State will prepare for the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, hosted by the University of Illinois on May 16-18.