Field Athletes Derr, DeWildt Shine at Len Paddock Invite

Friday, May 12

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Michigan

Len Paddock Invitational (Day 1)

Field Athletes Derr, DeWildt Shine at Len Paddock Invite

5/12/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's track and field team enjoyed a solid first day at the 2000 Len Paddock Invitational on Friday (May 12) at legendary Ferry Field. The Wolverines won one event and set a pair of personal records in two others, including a Charles DeWildt (Wyoming, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS) pole vault of 17-4 3/4. DeWildt's new personal best is an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and moves him into No. 2 on Michigan's individual career list for that event. DeWildt's previous personal best in the pole vault was 17-2 3/4, which he set during the 2000 indoor campaign.

Michigan's lone event champion of the day was junior hurdler Josh Sellers (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee HS), who won the 400-meter hurdles in 52.43. Wolverine thrower Andy Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) delivered Michigan's other personal best with a toss of 217-9 in the javelin to place runner-up. Derr's mark is No. 2 on Michigan's individual career list, knocking out his own previous best of 211-2, which he set as a freshman in 1998. Topping off Michigan's strong day in the field events was a runner-up finish from senior Patrik Johansson (Karlstad, Sweden/Tingvalle Gymansiet HS) in the hammer throw, with a mark of 187-0.

The Maize and Blue completes the regular-season portion of its outdoor schedule with the final day of competition at the Len Paddock Invitational tomorrow (Saturday, May 13). The field events begin at 11:30 a.m., while the running events kick off at 1:30 p.m.

Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423