Michigan State University
Kentucky Invite
Track & Field Finishes Competition at Kentucky Invite
1/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Jan. 16, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Michigan State track & field team concluded action at the Kentucky Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Nutter Fieldhouse. Leading MSU in the second day of action was freshman Isaiah VanDoorne and junior Spencer Beatty in the one-mile run. VanDoorne turned in a time of 4:12.12, while Beatty crossed in 4:12.35, finishing second and third, respectively, in the event.
"I am very pleased with the team's performance this weekend," said director of track & field and cross country Walt Drenth. "Our goal was to pick up where we left off, and I feel we did that this weekend. For the first meet of the season, the competition went very well for us and we saw some good results. Overall, this was a very highly competitive weekend with several SEC schools present. But, I feel the weekend was highlighted last night with Kyron Fosters triple jump performance when he defeating the defeated the defending national champion in the event."
On the women's side, senior Leah Elenbaas turned in the top time for the Spartans in the 800m run, finishing in fourth-place with a time of 2:12.61. Sophomore Stephen Humes finished fifth with a time of 1:52.05 in the men's 800m.
Junior Logan Lynch vaulted to a height of 4.90m and third-place overall in the men's pole vault.
The men's shot put saw three Spartans occupy seventh through ninth place. Sophomore Aaron Ide led with his 15.85m mark, while sophomore Brad Wentzel followed with a throw of 15.72m. Freshman Lonnie Pugh rounded up the throwers with his toss of 15.68m
The hurdlers were led by sophomore Shane Wells and his fourth-place time of 8.07 seconds.
Junior Erica Mann led the women in the 200m dash with a mark of 24.34, finishing eighth overall. Junior Yury Ratomski placed ninth for the men's side when he crossed the finish line in 21.74 in the 200m dash.
"For Erica to advance into the fast section of the finals is a great improvement for her. She constantly is improving and is slowly becoming a contender on the national level," added Drenth.
The distance runners were paced by freshman Josh McAlary and junior Patrick Grosskopf in the 3000m run. McAlary finished third with his time of 8:15.48, while Grosskopf finished fourth with his 8:16.28 mark.
Junior Becky McCormack led the women in the 3000m run when she finished sixth with a time of 9:42.97.
Sophomore Carlie Green was the top women's finisher in the one-mile run with her time of 5:00.16, finishing 11th overall.
Next weekend, the Spartans will have their first of two consecutive competitions, hosted by Notre Dame. Michigan State will attend the Notre Dame Invite on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.
Players Mentioned
