Eagles Wrap Up Day One in Columbus

Day One Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's track and field team began competition today, April 22, at the Jesse Owens Classic, hosted by Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The first day saw a number of mid-distance and distance events, as well as a few throws competitions.

The Eagles had four runners take part in the 1500m, with junior Nick Raymond (Erie, Mich. – Mason) leading the way. Raymond posted a seventh-place finish, crossing the finish line in 3:52.35. Not far behind him, redshirt sophomore Mitch Lenneman (River Falls, Wis. – River Falls) finished in tenth, posting a time of 3:55.65. Rounding out the Green and White were redshirt sophomores Caleb Hess (Owosso, Mich. – Owosso) and Kieran Reilly (Dover, Great Britain – Dover Grammar School for Boys), who placed 14^th and 18^th, respectively.

The team's best event on the day came in the form of the 3000m steeplechase. The gold went to redshirt junior Willy Fink (Maumee, Ohio – Maumee) who ran away with the title, crossing the finish line in 8:51.98, nearly eight seconds faster than the second-place runner. Also taking a top-three spot was sophomore Csaba Matko (Racalmas, Hungary - Szechenyi Istvan Gimnazium), posting a time of 9:05.72. Finally, redshirt sophomore Hlynur Andresson (Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland – Mountain Ridge) nabbed a new career-best time, clocking in at 9:15.54 to place fifth.

Eastern also had a pair take part in both the discus and the shot put. Freshman Zach Harkey (Huron, Ohio – Huron) made his EMU debut, participating in the discus, posting a mark of 48.34 meters/ 158 feet 7.25-inches. In the shot put, junior Quinn Levering (Caledonia, Ohio – River Valley) and redshirt freshman Zach Purcilly (Troy, Mich. – Avondale) both notched top-20 finishes, with Levering leading the way in sixth after notching a throw of 16.49 meters/ 54 feet 1.25-inches, which was a career-best. Purcilly posted a personal-best as well, finishing at 15.38 meters/ 50 feet 5.5-inches.

Tomorrow, the bulk of events will take place beginning at 10 a.m. with the men's pole vault. The track events are scheduled to begin at noon with the women's 4x100m relay.

EMU Individual Results (* denotes a personal best)
Event                                                 Mark
1500m Run
7. Nick Raymond                            3:52.35
10. Mitch Lenneman                         3:55.65
14. Caleb Hess                                 3:59.54
18. Kieran Reilly                               3:59.97

3000m Steeplechase
1. Willy Fink                                      8:51.98
3. Csaba Matko                                9:05.72*
5. Hlynur Andresson                        9:15.54*

Discus Throw
15. Zach Harkey                              48.34m/ 158-07.25*
Mike Hierholzer                               FOUL

Javelin Throw
Derek Ziegenfuss                             DNS

Shot Put
6. Quinn Levering                            16.49m/ 54-01.25*
16. Zach Purcilly                              15.38m/ 50-05.50*
Mike Hierholzer                               FOUL
Keith Williams                                  FOUL

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hlynur Andresson

Willy Fink

Zach Harkey

Caleb Hess

Mike Hierholzer

Mitch Lenneman

Quinn Levering

Csaba Matko

Zach Purcilly

Nick Raymond

Kieran Reilly

Keith Williams

Derek Ziegenfuss

Eastern Michigan Athletics