Michigan
Len Paddock Invitational
Three Wolverines Earn NCAA Marks on First Day of Paddock
5/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Ferry Field)
Event: Len Paddock Invitational (Day 1)
U-M Team Standing: No Team Scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 10 -- host Len Paddock Invitational (Ferry Field), 10 a.m.
Complete Results | Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Juniors Amber Hay(Detroit, Mich./Renaissance), Katie LaValley(Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central) and Casey Taylor(Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) of the University of Michigan women's track and field team each earned an NCAA regional time Friday (May 9) on the opening day of U-M's Len Paddock Invitational at Ferry Field.
Hay and LaValley earned the top two spots in the 400-meter hurdles with personal-best times. Hay won the race in 58.55, beating her previous best of 58.78, while LaValley ran a 58.77 to take more than half a second off her previous PR (59.29). Taylor earned first place in the triple jump with a distance of 41-1 3/4.
Three other Wolverines set personal bests in field events. Junior Melissa Gurchinoff(Dollar Bay, Mich./Houghton) just missed an NCAA regional mark, earning a personal best of 165-4 in the hammer throw. Sophomore/freshman Andrea Marcos(Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington) set a personal record in the pole vault, clearing 11-5 3/4, and senior Samantha Smith(South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon) earned a PR in the javelin with a throw of 103-8.
The Wolverines will conclude regular-season action tomorrow (Saturday, May 10) with the final day of the Len Paddock Invitational. Field events will begin at 10 a.m. with the women's discus and men's shot put, and running events start at 12:30 p.m. with the 4x100-meter relay.
Event Winners/U-M Finishers (Day 1)
Hammer Throw 1. April Phillips, Unattached 196-10 (60.01m) 6. Bridgette Maynard, U-M 169-4 (51.61m) 7. Melissa Gurchinoff, U-M 165-4 (50.39m) 11. Ashley Greer, U-M 153-4 (46.73m) 23. Anna Wilson, U-M 130-2 (39.69m) Pole Vault 1. Dianna Noonan, GVSU 12-11 1/2# (3.95m) 10. Jennifer Mehl, U-M 11-5 3/4 (3.50m) 12. Conkle, Sarah, U-M 11-5 3/4 (3.50m) 14. Carly Schiffer, U-M 11-0 1/4 (3.36m) 15. Lisa Sonntag, U-M 10-11 3/4 (3.35m) Pole Vault B 1. Kellie Kieren, GVSU 11-11 3/4 (3.65m) 3. Andrea Marcos, U-M 11-11 3/4 (3.50m) 7. Kate Dannecker, U-M 10-6 (3.20m) Javelin 1. Zoe Pelbart, MSU 156-6# (47.70m) 8. Bettie Wade, U-M 104-7 (31.87m) 9. Samantha Smith, U-M 103-8 (31.60m) 12. Bridgette Maynard, U-M 96-3 (29.34m) 13. Anna Wilson, U-M 89-6 (27.27m) Triple Jump 1. Casey Taylor, U-M 41-1 3/4# (12.54m) 400-meter Hurdles 1. Amber Hay, U-M 58.55# 2. Katie LaValley, U-M 58.77# 1,500-meter Run 1. Andrea Parker, Unattached 4:29.47 5. Claire Otwell, U-M 4:45.66 9. Alison Nesbitt, U-M 4:51.92 12. Lisa Montgomery, U-M 4:54.54 14. Katie Williams, U-M 4:58.93 # NCAA regional qualifying mark
Q U O T E S
Michigan Assistant Coach Anne Takacs
On the meet... "The hammer went well today. It was very close to a season best. One outstanding performance was Melissa Gurchinoff, who earned a personal best. She came really close to a regional mark. In the javelin, the pentathletes -- Bettie Wade and Samantha Smith -- stole the spotlight. They will add to their total when they get to the multi-events. In the 400-meter hurdles, the athletes did really well in acquiring regional marks. Casey Taylor had another great triple jump. In the pole vault, the outstanding performance was Andrea Marcos, who got a personal best with 11-6. She did a really nice job."
U-M Junior Thrower Melissa Gurchinoff
On her hammer performance... "I was really looking forward to this home meet because every year a lot of people come out, including friends and parents, which makes it extra exciting. To have a great performance today around all my friends was particularly exciting. I'm anticipating Big Tens next weekend."
Contact: Stacey Schwartz (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
