April 26, 2008

Complete Women's Results
Complete Men's Results

HILLSDALE, Mich. - The Michigan State track & field team finished up the last day of competition at the 42nd Annual Gina Relays, hosted by Hillsdale College on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Zoe Pelbart crushed the competition in the women's javelin, finishing first with a regional-qualifying launch of 46.48m (152-6), over 17 feet farther than the second-place finisher.

The spints teams had a successful day, as freshman Erica Mann finished first (24.80) in the 200m dash for the second-consecutive competition. Mann also took top honors in the 100m dash, coming in at 11.84. Senior Jackie Walton dominated her competition again, finishing first in the 100m hurdles (14.05) for the fifth time in as many meets. In the 400m dash, junior Amber Shelters took home second place with a time of 56.03.

In addition to Pelbart's performance, the women's field teams enjoyed a strong day of competition on Saturday. Senior Chaquerra Allen placed second in the triple jump, earning her third top-three finish of the season in the event with a leap of 11.97m (39-3 1/4). In the women's pole vault, sophomore Katie Shaw finished in a three-way tie for fourth place with a jump of 3.70m (12-1 1/2), while senior Stephanie Miller placed seventh (3.55m/11-7 3/4).

The 400m relay team of sophomore Michelle Gay, senior Paris Mandy, Mann and Walton crossed the finish line first once again, posting a time of 45.99.

On the men's side, sophomore Scott Beals soared past the competition, finishing on top for the fourth-straight week in the javelin with a distance of 56.28m (184-8). Sophomore Anthony Agrusa finished third in the discus, tossing a distance of 49.36m (161-11).

In the sprints competitions, Yury Ratomski placed in the top-10 in two events. The Spartan freshman finished third (21.96) in the 200m and seventh (10.99) in the 100m, while junior Michael Smoot took the top spot in the 400m dash finishing with a time of 48.19.

"The team is competing really well right now," said MSU Director of Track & Field Walt Drenth. "It feels like if we encounter some favorable weather and the right competition many of us are going to have breakout performances. With the Big Ten Championships three weeks away all we can ask everyone to do is compete. As long as we continue to follow that request the team will continue to improve."

Michigan State returns to action on May 2-3, as it travels to Columbus, Ohio, for the Jessie Owens Track Classic, hosted by Ohio State.