Michigan
Harold Silverston Invitational
Five Wins, Strong Performances Highlight Silverston Invite
2/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In the final tune-up before the Big Ten Women's Indoor Championships, the University of Michigan women's track and field team won the 60-, 600- and 800-meter events and the mile while also taking the shot put Saturday (Feb. 19) in the Harold Silverston Invitational at the U-M Indoor Track Building.
Though the Wolverines did not record an NCAA qualifying time or mark, U-M produced solid performances across the board, setting a number of personal bests, including two in the weight throw.
In the mile, fifth-year senior Andrea Parker (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) stalked a qualifying time throughout the race, falling just shy with a first-place time of 4:51.99, a new personal best. Parker built a substantial lead from the gun, recording a 2:23 split midway through the race and clocking in at 4:15 at the bell lap. Senior/junior Chelsea Homan (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) ran in second place until the final lap, finishing fourth in 5:07.78.
In the 800-meter run, junior/sophomore Arianne Field (Kalamazoo, Mich./Hackett) took top prize, clocking in at 2:15.95, while senior/junior Jessica Wagner (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame) secured second in a personal-best 2:17.96. Field held a slight lead heading into the bell lap and pulled away from the pack, while Wagner turned on the jets down the final straightaway to clinch second place.
Senior Sierra Hauser-Price (Van Nuys, Calif./Notre Dame) won her second 60-meter dash title in as many weeks in a time of 7.49, the second-fastest dash of her career. It came just a week after she set a Michigan record (7.45) in the 60-meter dash at the Sykes-Sabok Challenge.
In the 400-meter dash, freshman Serita Williams (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee) took second in a career-best time of 57.62, while senior/junior Michelle Nelson (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) captured fourth in 1:00.75.
In the 600-meter run, fifth-year senior Anna Jones (Omaha, Neb./Marian) won the event in 1:35.54, while junior/sophomores Monica Dunn (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) and Melissa Dunn (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) finished in fourth and fifth, respectively, clocking in at 1:38.04 and 1:38.22.
In the throwing events, senior Ashley Eckel (Grand Blac, Mich./Grand Blanc) took second place in the weight throw with a career-best 58-1, while senior Tara Kennedy (Woodhaven, Mich./Woodhaven) grabbed third with a personal-best throw of 52-5 1/2. Sophomore Bridgette Maynard (Madison, Mich./Bishop Foley) captured fifth with a throw of 51-5 1/2, while senior Amy Bicknell (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) took sixth with a throw of 51-1 1/2. Maynard won the shot put with a throw of 45-2 1/4, while Eckel took second, tying a season-best throw with 44-11 3/4.
In the pole vault, junior Kelly Catino (Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City Central) tied for second with a clearance of 12-0, while fifth-year senior Lynn Gasparella (New Hudson, Mich./South Lyon) claimed fourth with a height of 11-6 1/4. Junior Kristin Pearson (Escanaba, Mich./Escanaba) tied for fifth with a personal-best height of 11-0 1/4.
In the long jump, senior Jennifer Williams (Burton, Mich./Atherton) and junior Beth Vinckier (Yale, Mich./Yale) tied for fourth with jumps of 17-3 3/4, with Williams setting a personal best. Williams claimed second in the high jump with a clearance of 5-10, while senior/junior Stephanie Linz (Okemos, Mich./Okemos) took third, clearing 5-8.
Michigan will host the Big Ten Women's Indoor Championships next Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 26-27) at the U-M Track Building. Tickets are on sale at the Michigan Ticket Office and by phone (734-764-0247 or toll-free 866-296-MTIX). Prices for a two-day ticket package are $12 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, college students w/ID and under 18. Daily ticket prices are $7 for adults and $4 for senior citizens, college students w/ID and under 18.
Q U O T E S
Head Coach James Henry
On Michigan's final tune-up meet before Big Tens ... "We're as ready as we'll ever be. We rested some people who needed resting and had solid performances out of people who needed an extra week. We should have a big crowd for the championships and we're looking forward to an excellent meet."
Fifth-Year Senior Andrea Parker
On her mile ... "My plan going into the mile was to have Lindsey Gallo rabbit at a pace that would send me through the 1,200 meters at a 4:52 pace. She did that perfectly. I was supposed to pick it up with 300 meters to go, but it was tough for me to go from an even pace to a sprint in last two laps. I ran a very even race and was pleased with my PR."
On upcoming Big Ten Indoor Championships ... "At the start of season we were a little worried about our chances because, as Mike (McGuire) put it, we were leaking oil. We're back on track -- training hard and competing hard. We're excited to be hosting the championships and have the home field advantage. We're fired up to have alumni, parents, relatives and friends here for next week. It's a good support system. We should have good competition from Penn State and Illinois. All of the teams competing will be formidable. We have a good attitude and we're going to compete hard."
Senior Sierra Hauser-Price
On how she will be preparing for her first Big Ten Indoor Championships ... "I've been a little under the weather this week so I think it will be very important for me to prepare well this week. I plan to run a national time in the 60-meter dash and hopefully win my first Big Ten indoor title."
Senior/Junior Jessica Wagner
On setting personal bests in back-to-back weeks ... "It feels good, especially since this is my last indoor season. When I broke five minutes in the mile last week, I was happy that my teammates were there to share it with me."
On preparing for Big Ten Indoors ... "Big Tens is not about times as much as it is about running well for your team. Earning points is the key. Every person is important because every single point counts."
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
