Feb. 5, 2010
MARIETTA, Ohio- Ohio Track and Field ran, threw and jumped its way to first place at the 2010 Alumni Open on Friday, earning the highest score in the eight team field. The Bobcats (202.87 points) bested Marshall (171.25), Robert Morris (101.37), West Virginia Wesleyan (71), Marietta (45), Duquesne (35), Concord (31) and West Liberty State (4) en route to taking home the title. The ‘Cats were paced by 27 top-five finishes, including four first-place results.
“We had some solid performances,†said head coach Clay Calkins. “We’re training through for next weekend’s All-Ohio meet, but we placed well today.â€
The Bobcats started the day in just about the best way possible, taking the first, second and fifth places in the day’s first event, the 5000 meter run. Kristen Altenburger (Troy, Ohio) and Lauren Adkins (Galllipolis, Ohio) finished in first and second, respectively, while Hannah Skrobot (Dublin, Ohio) earned fifth.
Ohio then took 16 points in the 55 meter dash as Alexis Geiger (Gallipolis, Ohio) finished fourth, Kristi Sturges (Parma, Ohio) took fifth and Cathy Udeani (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) crossed in seventh. Geiger ended up having a very good day for the Green and White, as she took second in the 200 meter dash with a 2010 team-best 27.20, tied a 2010 team-best with a long jump of 17-06.75 (finished second) and was the first Ohio finisher (fourth overall) in the triple jump with a 34-00.75.
The throwing Bobcats were quite successful Friday, as Bahiyjaui Allen (Toledo, Ohio) and Emily Amendola (Beach City, Ohio) competed well in the shot put and weight throw competitions. Allen took first in the shot put (46-05.25) and third in the weight throw (53-01.00). Amendola placed second in the shot put with a season-best 45-04.50 and sixth in the weight throw.
Udeani claimed first place in the high jump and the ten points that come with it by leaping 5-07.25. The junior now has two first-place finishes and three second places in this event so far in 2010. She has not finished below second.
“All the way around, it was a solid day,†said Calkins. “We have room to improve but at the same time the team did a pretty good job.â€
The Bobcats will next be in action when they travel to Bowling Green, Ohio for the All-Ohio Championships on February 12 and 13.
