ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The Eastern Michigan University men's track and field team wrapped up the regular season Saturday (May 10) at the Len Paddock Invitational at the University of Michigan. The Eagles set several career and season-bests throughout the two-day meet.
Junior Gerald Gersham threw a foot and a half career-best in the shot put to win the event. His NCAA regional qualifying mark of 56-10.00 ranks fifth all-time in school history. Fellow junior David Brent also set a career-best, running 1:50.45 in the 800 meters, to finish eighth. His time just missed the regional qualifying mark of 1:50.40 but is the top mark in the Mid-American Conference.
Senior Eric Alejandro ran the 400 meters in an all-time outdoor best of 48.39 to take the win. Darrin Trammell finished third behind Alejandro in the 400 with a time of 49.13.
Ackeem Forde ran career-bests in the 100 and 200 meters, finishing with times 10.99 and 21.89, respectively. He finished seventh in the 100 and third in the 200.
The Eagles went 2-3 in the triple jump, with Kyle Holmes taking second and Oliver Walther finishing third. In the long jump, Kevin Lanier finished sixth, while Holmes and Walther tied for seventh.
Lanier had an outstanding day in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing sixth in a lifetime-best 53.98. He also cleared 6-05.50 in the high jump, finishing fourth.
The Eagles will travel to Bowling Green, Ohio, for the Mid-American Conference Championship Thursday through Saturday (May 15-17).
Len Paddock Results
5/9-10/08
Shot Put
1. Gerald Gersham 56-10.00
Regional Qualifying Mark
T7. Jarid Pearson 49-03.00
Triple Jump
2. Kyle Holmes 44-11.00
3. Oliver Walther 44-03.50
Long Jump
6. Kevin Lanier 22-04.50
T7. Kyle Holmes 22-03.00
T7. Oliver Walther 22-03.00
High Jump
4. Kevin Lanier 6-05.50
T8. Clint Keranen 6-04.50
Pole Vault
11. Adam McMillian 14-03.25
Javelin
11. John Strein 156-06
4x100-meter relay
2. Eastern Michigan 41.06
Alejandro, Forde, Walther, Allen
100 meters
7. Ackeem Forde 10.99
20. Nate Blackwell 11.38
200 meters
3. Ackeem Forde 21.89
13. Nate Blackwell 22.64
400 meters
1. Eric Alejandro 48.39
3. Darrin Trammell 49.13
800 meters
8. David Brent 1:50.45
1,500 meters
9. Willy Dague 4:01.92
17. Ryan Grau 4:06.73
18. Ransom Brown 4:07.03
22. Mark Wehrman 4:11.52
110-meter hurdles
7. Tymell Dodd 14.92
9. Kevin Lanier 15.20
400-meter hurdles
6. Kevin Lanier 53.98