Michigan
Big Ten Indoor Championships (Day 1)
U-M Fourth After First Day of Big Ten Championships
2/26/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
The highlight of day one for the Wolverines was the runner-up finish in the pole vault by Charles DeWildt (Wyoming, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS). In addition to DeWildt's effort, which is an NCAA provisional qualifying mark, Michigan also scored in three other events for 21 points, which trailed only Wisconsin (40), Illinois (27) and Iowa (27).
Michigan's distance crew gave the Wolverines a little spark in the 3,000-meter run as junior Mike Wisniewski (Temperance, Mich./Bedford HS) placed fourth (8:15.14), while senior Steve Lawrence (Consecon, Ontario/East Northumberland HS) finished close behind in sixth (8:18.80). That Wolverine duo also owns two of the top five Big Ten times this season in the 5,000 meters, with that race to take place Sunday (Feb. 27).
The Wolverines received further help from their distance crew as the Maize and Blue raced to a fourth-place finish in the distance medley relay (9:58.84).
While that was all the Michigan scoring for the day, several Wolverines qualified for day two event finals with solid day one performances. Sophomore sprinter Ike Okenwa (San Diego, Calif./Morse HS) advanced to the finals of the 200-meter dash by winning heat two of the preliminaries with a time of 21.79. Hurdler Derek Applewhite (Brighton, Colo./Brighton HS) earned a berth in the 60-meter hurdles final after placing runner-up in heat two of the semifinals with a time of 8.11. Fellow sprinter Kevin Lamb (East Lansing, Mich./Haslett HS) advanced the finals of the 400-meter dash with a runner-up finish in heat one of the preliminaries (48.50).
The Wolverines had a pair of athletes earn spots in the 600-meter dash final. Jeremy Schneider (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Andover HS) won heat two of the preliminaries with a pace of 1:19.34, while senior co-captain Steve Moffat (Villa Park, Calif./Villa Park HS) placed third in heat four (1:20.50).
Middle distance ace Jay Cantin (Camlachie, Ontario/St. Claire SS) began his quest for his second consecutive Big Ten indoor mile crown -- and Michigan's eighth straight -- by winning heat two (4:13.67) and advancing to the finals.
Final day action begins with the heptathlon at 10:20 p.m., with field events starting at noon and the running events at 1:50 p.m.
N O T E S
-- Charles DeWildt's mark of 17-2 3/4 in the pole vault is a career high and is third-best individual height in Michigan history.
-- DeWildt is the fifth Wolverine to provisionally qualify for the NCAA Championships. The others are Jay Cantin in the 3,000-meter run, Steve Lawrence in the 5,000-meter run and Mike Wisniewski in both the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs. Cantin is automatically qualified in the mile.
-- Jeremy Schneider's time of 1:19.34 in the 600-meter dash is a Michigan season best.
Team Standings (After Day 1)
1. Wisconsin 40 2. Illinois 27 Iowa 27 4. MICHIGAN 21 5. Minnesota 18 6. Indiana 16 7. Purdue 14 Ohio State 14 9. Michigan State 11 10. Penn State 7
Event Winners/U-M Finishers (Day 1)
60-Meter Dash (Preliminaries)
Heat 2 1. Michael Bennet, Wis. 6.79 5. Steve Jenkins, U-M 7.05 6. Andre Snellings, U-M 7.17 Heat 3 1. Russell Brooks, Ind. 6.79 6. Steve Molnar, U-M 7.04
60-Meter Dash (Semifinals)
Heat 1 1. Russell Brooks, Ind. 6.75# 8. Steve Jenkins, U-M 7.05 Heat 2 1. Michael Bennet, Wis. 6.72 7. Steve Molnar, U-M 6.98
200-Meter Dash (Preliminaries)
Heat 1 1. Andrew Pierce, OSU 21.48# 3. Steve Molnar, U-M 22.27 4. Steve Jenkins, U-M 23.18 Heat 2 1. Ike Okenwa, U-M 21.79!
400-Meter Dash (Preliminaries)
Heat 1 1. Matt Rodgers, Wis. 47.70 2. Kevin Lamb, U-M 48.50! Heat 3 1. Courtney Cornwell, OSU 49.30 3. Brad Haudan, U-M 51.30 -- Tony Wisehart, U-M DQ
600-Meter Dash (Preliminaries)
Heat 2 1. Jeremy Schneider, U-M 1:19.34! Heat 4 1. Jabari Pride, U-M 1:19.71 3. Steve Moffat, U-M 1:20.50!
800-Meter Run (Preliminaries)
Heat 1 1. Rob Myers, OSU 1:52.22 3. Phil Stead, U-M 1:53.08 Heat 3 1. Jason Von Swol, Ill. 1:50.30# 5. Dan Snyder, U-M 1:54.21
Mile Run (Preliminaries)
Heat 2 1. Jay Cantin, U-M 4:13.67! 7. Tom Caughlan, U-M 4:17.73 8. John Butsic, U-M 4:30.54
3,000-meter Run
1. Ian Connor, OSU 8:12.95 4. Mike Wisniewski, U-M 8:15.14 6. Steve Lawrence, U-M 8:18.80
60-Meter Hurdles (Preliminaries)
Heat 1 1. T.J. Nelson, Wis. 7.93 3. Derek Applewhite, U-M 8.14 4. Jon Cohen, U-M 8.23 Heat 2 1. Sherman Armstrong, Ill. 7.99 6. Andre Snellings, U-M 8.46
60-Meter Hurdles (Semifinals)
Heat 2 1. Ryan Grear, OSU 8.02 2. Derek Applewhite, U-M 8.11!
Distance Medley Relay
1. Minnesota 9:50.14 4. Michigan 9:58.84
Pole Vault
1. Justin Norberg, Ill. 17-2 3/4 (5.25m)# 2. Charles DeWildt, U-M 17-2 3/4 (5.25m)# 13. Brent Sheffer, U-M 15-7 (4.75m)
Long Jump
1. Lenton Herring, Wis. 25-7 1/4 (7.80m)#
Shot Put
1. Jeremy Allen, Iowa 61-4 1/4 (18.70m)# 12. Nick Rogers, U-M 53-3 (16.23m) 19. Patrick Johansson, U-M 49-7 (15.11m)
Heptathlon (After Day 1)
1. Brad Mohns, Wis. 3243 pts. 11. Blair Yonkoski, U-M 2672 pts. 15. Ryan Stevenson, U-M 2463 pts. # NCAA Provisional Mark ! Advanced to finals
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
