Michigan State University
Hillsdale Gina Relays
Track & Field Concludes Busy Weekend
4/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
April 25, 2009
HILLSDALE, Mich. - The 2009 Michigan State track & field program wrapped up a busy weekend with several notable performances at both the Hillsdale College Gina Relays and the Drake Relays on Saturday. The men's 4x400m relay team, consisting of Keith Hewlett (Detroit, Mich.), Yury Ratomski (Novi, Mich.), Michael Smoot (Trenton, Mich.) and Jeremy Orr (Detroit, Mich.), highlighted the day by running a time of 3:11.91, earning fifth amongst a very strong field of 26 teams at the Drake Relays.
Freshman Lonnie Pugh (Grosse Ile, Mich.) was the top finisher on the day for the Spartans at the Gina Relays as he earned second place in the discus with a throw of 52.68m (172-10). Pugh was part of a Spartan throws unit that dominated the discus throw on both the men's and women's sides. Aside from Pugh, MSU placed two other student-athletes in the top 10 on the men's side. Sophomore Brad Wentzel (Allegan, Mich.) earned fourth with a mark of 52.38m (171-10) while classmate Anthony Agrusa (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) placed 10th after hurling 46.10m (151-3).
Sophomore Ashley Lawrence (Troy, Mich.) paced the women in the discus after tossing 47.94m (157-3), placing third in the event. Teammate Stacey Harrington (Lakeview, Mich.) set a personal-best mark of 45.16m (148-2) to take eighth. Robyn Whalen (Livonia, Mich.) placed just behind Harrington in ninth after narrowly missing her personal-best with a throw of 44.60m (146-4).
The throwers kept things going in the javelin at the Gina Relays. Scott Beals (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) placed third on the men's side with a throw of 52.68m (172-10) while Jerry Hessell (New Haven, Mich.) placed fifth with a throw of 51.74m (169-9). Harrington paced the women by earning fifth place with a throw of 39.00m (127-11).
MSU was also well-represented in the sprints at Hillsdale, highlighted by David Calille (Canton, Mich.) and Michelle Gay (Lakewood, Kan.), who were the Spartans' top finishers for both the men and the women. Both Calille and Gay took eighth-place honors in the 200m dash with times of 21.80 and 24.88, respectively. Both marks are personal-bests. Freshman Durant Crum (Ann Arbor, Mich.) set a pair of personal-bests on the day as well. Crum ran 10.82 in the 100m dash, placing 12th, and 22.18 in the 200m dash to earn 10th.
Jackie Gross (Marine City, Mich.) rounded out the Spartans' top finishers at Hillsdale as she placed 11th in the 800m run with a personal-best time of 2:16.86.
The Spartans participated in only one other event at the Drake Relays, the men's 4x100m relay. After qualifying for today's final with a time of 40.84 yesterday, the foursome was disqualified after dropping the baton in today's competition.
The Spartans will return to action next weekend as they travel to Columbus, Ohio for the Jesse Owens Classic on Friday and Saturday. For all the latest on Spartan track & field, stay tuned to www.msuspartans.com.
Players Mentioned
