Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, May 14
Toledo, Ohio
All Day
Eastern Michigan University
at
MAC Outdoor Championships
Photo by: Brett Dunbar
Green and White Finish Runner-Up at MAC Championships
5/14/2016 6:22:00 PM | Men's Track & Field
The Eagles finished with six event titles throughout the three days of competition
Day Three Results
Photo Gallery.
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's track and field team wrapped up an action packed three days of competition at the Mid-American Conference Championships today, May 14. Ultimately, the Eagles finished second in the back-and-forth meet with a total of 160 points, while Akron took home the victory with 166 points. Overall, the Eagles were still extremely successful and had six event titles throughout the meet.
"Having won the past two Outdoor MAC Track and Field Championships it is disappointing to have come so close to capturing a three-peat, but it was not for lack of team effort," remarked Head Coach John Goodridge. "These guys threw, jumped and ran their hearts out to the bitter end. I am very proud of this team and these men."
Junior Tyler Brown (Findlay, Ohio – Findlay) found plenty of success in both the 200m and 400m dash finals. The junior got started with a third-place finish in the 200m, clocking in at 21.28 to barely edge out the fourth-place finisher by .01. After finishing second in the 400m dash prelims, Brown found his stride in the finals, finishing atop the podium after clocking in with a blazing time of 46.55. Brown finished nearly eight tenths of a second ahead of the second-place finisher, and more than a second ahead of the third-place sprinter.
The Green and White had a pair of runners qualify into the 800m run finals, and both finished within the top-five. Senior Mason Waynes (Kenosha, Wis. – Bradford) brought home the bronze for the Eagles after crossing the finish line in 1:56.40. Also running in the race was senior Scott Bradley (Battle Creek, Mich. – Lakeview), who finished just behind Waynes in fourth with a time of 1:56.67.
The 1500m run saw a pair of Eagles finish within the top-five. Redshirt junior Willy Fink (Maumee, Ohio – Maumee), who won the 3000m steeplechase yesterday, took home another medal, placing third in the 1500. Fink crossed the finish line in 3:49.54, while sophomore Csaba Matko (Racalmas, Hungary - Szechenyi Istvan Gimnazium) took fifth with a personal-best time of 3:51.07. Rounding out the three runners for the Eagles was redshirt sophomore Mitch Lenneman (River Falls, Wis. – River Falls) in eighth after clocking in at 3:56.44.
With the meet coming down to the wire, the 5000m secured a much-needed 22 points for the Eagles. After finishing third in the 1500m, Fink returned to the track and ran away with the 5000m, being the first to cross the finish line. The redshirt junior clocked in at 14:43.83 to bring home the gold, while redshirt sophomore Nick Raymond (Erie, Mich. – Mason) nabbed the silver with a time of 14:45.30. Also posting a top-five finish was fellow redshirt sophomore Lahsene Bouchikhi (Antwerp, Belgium - Stedelijk Lyceum Paardenmarkt Luchthave), who finished fourth in 14:51.39.
The Eagles managed to finish fourth in the 4x100m relay, as the group of sophomore Brandon Bolden (Solon, Ohio – Solon), senior Matthew Williams (Moreno Valley, Calif. – Vista Del Lago), freshman Aitor Ekobo (Madrid, Spain - Jose Luis Lopez Aranguren Secondary School), and Brown crossed the finish line in 40.94 seconds to narrowly miss a top-three finish. In the 4x400m relay, the team took home the silver. Redshirt senior Solomon Simmons (Murrieta, Calif. – Murrieta Valley), Waynes, Williams, and Brown clocked in at 3:09.91 to secure the second-place finish.
After winning the decathlon yesterday, Simmons nabbed another medal today in the 110m hurdles, finishing in third-place. Simmons clocked in at 14.33 seconds, which was a new career-best. Also running in the event was freshman Frank Douglas (Mansfield, Ohio - Madison Comprehensive), who finished with a time of 14.77 and placed sixth. In the 400m hurdles finals, freshman Elijah Barber (Columbus, Ohio – Eastmoor Academy) finished seventh, crossing the finish line in 54.76, which was a personal-best time.
The Green and White had one competitor in the high jump, as freshman Cameron Hart (Columbus, Ohio – Bishop Hartley) finished eighth, posting a mark of 1.96 meters/ 6 feet 5-inches. In the triple jump, freshman Jordan Fowler paced the Eagles, finising in sixth with a mark of 14.40 meters/ 47 feet 3-inches. Also taking part in the event was fellow freshman Nicholas Herbert (Portage, Mich. – Portage Northern), who nabbed ninth with a jump of 11.60 meters/ 38 feet 0.75-inches.
At the conclusion of the meet, Fink was named Most Valuable Performer for his accomplishments throughout the three-day meet. Additionally, freshman Derek Ziegenfuss (Allentown, Pa. - Parkland) was named Men's Field Freshman of the Year after his incredible season in the javelin.
The Eagles will be free from action next weekend. The following week however, select individuals will gear up for the NCAA East Regional, taking place May 26-28, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Team Standings
1. Akron 166
2. Eastern Michigan 160
3. Kent State 136.5
4. Central Michigan 81.5
5. Miami 55
6. Buffalo 52
Most Valuable Performer: Willy Fink, EMU
Most Outstanding Track Performer: William Barnes, Kent State
Most Outstanding Field Performer: Cole Walderzak, CMU
Men's Track Freshman of the Year: Benjamin Hayes, CMU
Men's Field Freshman of the Year: Derek Ziegenfuss, EMU
Coach of the Year: Dennis Mitchell, Akron
First-Team All MAC
Tyler Brown
Willy Fink
Nick Raymond
Solomon Simmons
Derek Ziegenfuss
Second-Team All MAC
Mason Waynes
Keith Williams
Matthew Williams
EMU Individual Results (* denotes a personal best)
Event Mark
200m Dash Finals
3. Tyler Brown 21.28
400m Dash Finals
1. Tyler Brown 46.55
800m Run Finals
3. Mason Waynes 1:56.40
4. Scott Bradley 1:56.67
1500m Run
3. Willy Fink 3:49.54
4. Csaba Matko 3:51.07*
8. Mitch Lenneman 3:56.44
5000m Run
1. Willy Fink 14:43.83
2. Nick Raymond 14:45.30
4. Lahsene Bouchikhi 14:51.39
4x100m Relay
4. Bolden, Williams 40.94
Ekobo, Brown
4x400m Relay
2. Simmons, Waynes 3:09.91
Williams, Brown
110m Hurdles
3. Solomon Simmons 14.33*
6. Frank Douglas 14.77
400m Hurdles Finals
7. Elijah Barber 54.76*
High Jump
8. Cameron Hart 1.96m/ 06-05.00
Triple Jump
6. Jordan Fowler 14.40m/ 47-03.00
9. Nicholas Herbert 11.60m/ 38-00.75
Micah Peters DNS
Photo Gallery.
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's track and field team wrapped up an action packed three days of competition at the Mid-American Conference Championships today, May 14. Ultimately, the Eagles finished second in the back-and-forth meet with a total of 160 points, while Akron took home the victory with 166 points. Overall, the Eagles were still extremely successful and had six event titles throughout the meet.
"Having won the past two Outdoor MAC Track and Field Championships it is disappointing to have come so close to capturing a three-peat, but it was not for lack of team effort," remarked Head Coach John Goodridge. "These guys threw, jumped and ran their hearts out to the bitter end. I am very proud of this team and these men."
Junior Tyler Brown (Findlay, Ohio – Findlay) found plenty of success in both the 200m and 400m dash finals. The junior got started with a third-place finish in the 200m, clocking in at 21.28 to barely edge out the fourth-place finisher by .01. After finishing second in the 400m dash prelims, Brown found his stride in the finals, finishing atop the podium after clocking in with a blazing time of 46.55. Brown finished nearly eight tenths of a second ahead of the second-place finisher, and more than a second ahead of the third-place sprinter.
The Green and White had a pair of runners qualify into the 800m run finals, and both finished within the top-five. Senior Mason Waynes (Kenosha, Wis. – Bradford) brought home the bronze for the Eagles after crossing the finish line in 1:56.40. Also running in the race was senior Scott Bradley (Battle Creek, Mich. – Lakeview), who finished just behind Waynes in fourth with a time of 1:56.67.
The 1500m run saw a pair of Eagles finish within the top-five. Redshirt junior Willy Fink (Maumee, Ohio – Maumee), who won the 3000m steeplechase yesterday, took home another medal, placing third in the 1500. Fink crossed the finish line in 3:49.54, while sophomore Csaba Matko (Racalmas, Hungary - Szechenyi Istvan Gimnazium) took fifth with a personal-best time of 3:51.07. Rounding out the three runners for the Eagles was redshirt sophomore Mitch Lenneman (River Falls, Wis. – River Falls) in eighth after clocking in at 3:56.44.
With the meet coming down to the wire, the 5000m secured a much-needed 22 points for the Eagles. After finishing third in the 1500m, Fink returned to the track and ran away with the 5000m, being the first to cross the finish line. The redshirt junior clocked in at 14:43.83 to bring home the gold, while redshirt sophomore Nick Raymond (Erie, Mich. – Mason) nabbed the silver with a time of 14:45.30. Also posting a top-five finish was fellow redshirt sophomore Lahsene Bouchikhi (Antwerp, Belgium - Stedelijk Lyceum Paardenmarkt Luchthave), who finished fourth in 14:51.39.
The Eagles managed to finish fourth in the 4x100m relay, as the group of sophomore Brandon Bolden (Solon, Ohio – Solon), senior Matthew Williams (Moreno Valley, Calif. – Vista Del Lago), freshman Aitor Ekobo (Madrid, Spain - Jose Luis Lopez Aranguren Secondary School), and Brown crossed the finish line in 40.94 seconds to narrowly miss a top-three finish. In the 4x400m relay, the team took home the silver. Redshirt senior Solomon Simmons (Murrieta, Calif. – Murrieta Valley), Waynes, Williams, and Brown clocked in at 3:09.91 to secure the second-place finish.
After winning the decathlon yesterday, Simmons nabbed another medal today in the 110m hurdles, finishing in third-place. Simmons clocked in at 14.33 seconds, which was a new career-best. Also running in the event was freshman Frank Douglas (Mansfield, Ohio - Madison Comprehensive), who finished with a time of 14.77 and placed sixth. In the 400m hurdles finals, freshman Elijah Barber (Columbus, Ohio – Eastmoor Academy) finished seventh, crossing the finish line in 54.76, which was a personal-best time.
The Green and White had one competitor in the high jump, as freshman Cameron Hart (Columbus, Ohio – Bishop Hartley) finished eighth, posting a mark of 1.96 meters/ 6 feet 5-inches. In the triple jump, freshman Jordan Fowler paced the Eagles, finising in sixth with a mark of 14.40 meters/ 47 feet 3-inches. Also taking part in the event was fellow freshman Nicholas Herbert (Portage, Mich. – Portage Northern), who nabbed ninth with a jump of 11.60 meters/ 38 feet 0.75-inches.
At the conclusion of the meet, Fink was named Most Valuable Performer for his accomplishments throughout the three-day meet. Additionally, freshman Derek Ziegenfuss (Allentown, Pa. - Parkland) was named Men's Field Freshman of the Year after his incredible season in the javelin.
The Eagles will be free from action next weekend. The following week however, select individuals will gear up for the NCAA East Regional, taking place May 26-28, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Team Standings
1. Akron 166
2. Eastern Michigan 160
3. Kent State 136.5
4. Central Michigan 81.5
5. Miami 55
6. Buffalo 52
Most Valuable Performer: Willy Fink, EMU
Most Outstanding Track Performer: William Barnes, Kent State
Most Outstanding Field Performer: Cole Walderzak, CMU
Men's Track Freshman of the Year: Benjamin Hayes, CMU
Men's Field Freshman of the Year: Derek Ziegenfuss, EMU
Coach of the Year: Dennis Mitchell, Akron
First-Team All MAC
Tyler Brown
Willy Fink
Nick Raymond
Solomon Simmons
Derek Ziegenfuss
Second-Team All MAC
Mason Waynes
Keith Williams
Matthew Williams
EMU Individual Results (* denotes a personal best)
Event Mark
200m Dash Finals
3. Tyler Brown 21.28
400m Dash Finals
1. Tyler Brown 46.55
800m Run Finals
3. Mason Waynes 1:56.40
4. Scott Bradley 1:56.67
1500m Run
3. Willy Fink 3:49.54
4. Csaba Matko 3:51.07*
8. Mitch Lenneman 3:56.44
5000m Run
1. Willy Fink 14:43.83
2. Nick Raymond 14:45.30
4. Lahsene Bouchikhi 14:51.39
4x100m Relay
4. Bolden, Williams 40.94
Ekobo, Brown
4x400m Relay
2. Simmons, Waynes 3:09.91
Williams, Brown
110m Hurdles
3. Solomon Simmons 14.33*
6. Frank Douglas 14.77
400m Hurdles Finals
7. Elijah Barber 54.76*
High Jump
8. Cameron Hart 1.96m/ 06-05.00
Triple Jump
6. Jordan Fowler 14.40m/ 47-03.00
9. Nicholas Herbert 11.60m/ 38-00.75
Micah Peters DNS
Players Mentioned
Hurdles
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Multis
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Javelin
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