Michigan
Simmons-Harvey Invitational
Michigan Posts Five Event Wins at Simmons-Harvey Invite
1/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Jan. 17, 2015
• Complete Results 
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Indoor Track Building)
Event: Simmons-Harvey Invitational
U-M Team Result: No team scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Jan. 31 -- vs. Michigan State - Dual Meet (Allendale, Mich.), 5:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's track and field team continued its 2015 indoor season on Saturday (Jan. 17) at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational inside of the U-M Indoor Track Building. The Wolverines captured five individual titles and recorded 14 top-three performances in the team's first action of the year with a full squad.
Junior Cindy Ofili led the Wolverines with a trio of wins. Ofili took first place in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.18 seconds, besting all others on the track by at least three-tenths of a second, while fifth-year senior Amber Smith came in second with a time of 8.48 seconds. Ofili also took first in the 60-meter dash in 7.54 seconds. To round out her trio of victories, she crossed first in the 200-meter with a time of 24.90 seconds.
Sophomore Aaron Howell took first place in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.73 meters (5-8ft), while senior/junior Shannon Osika claimed first in the 3,000-meter race with a time of 9:38.31.
U-M hosted its first of two home meets today with the Simmons-Harvey Invitational. Michigan's next home meet will be Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Silverston Invitational.
PERSONAL RECORDS
Elly Mioduszewski -- Shot Put (14.87m; 48-9.50ft)
Kayla Deering -- Shot Put (13.07m; 42-10.75ft); Weight Throw (13.11m; 43-.25ft)
Aaron Howell -- Shot Put (12.30m; 40-4.25); High Jump (1.73m; 5-8ft)
Courtney Munley -- Mile (4:54.63)
Gina McNamara -- Mile (4:58.81)
Gina Sereno -- Mile (4:59.03)
Anna Pasternak -- Mile (5:02.51)
Corinne Florie -- Mile (5:03.28)
Jackie Wold -- 400-Meter (59.82 seconds)
Mackenzie Micho -- 400-Meter (1:03.45)
Danielle Pfeifer -- 600-Meter (1.32.39)
Dana Carey -- 600-Meter (1.37.51)
Chelsey Miller -- 800 Meter (2:15.71)
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach James Henry
On today's overall performance and what stood out to him today ..."I saw a little bit of everything. There were a few kids who performed last week and really stepped up today. I've also seen some kids that are a little over their heads and we need to continue to step up. Those kids that are in over their heads need to either step up or step out."
On the closeness of competitors and how that fuels competition ... "Well that's what's important. You have got to be more than just teammates, colleagues -- you've got to be friends too. That's what we want. What we're always working hard with is trying to get different events to get to be social with others because they don't spend as much time together during training."
On what he looks forward to at the next competition ... "Well, the dual meets are about placing. We just want to beat bodies. It's so important that we are putting bodies in the mix when we're competing. Times don't matter now -- we've just got to beat people in green and white."
U-M Junior Cindy Ofili
On her individual performances today ... "I felt amazing in my hurdles. The sprint races were decent for me; they were good, but I could have gotten out a little better -- could have held on a little better. But in terms of the hurdles that was the fastest I've ran."
On the team as a whole and getting nerves out of the way with today's action ... "I think we're all looking pretty good. I mean we all have little nicks and pains, but overall I think we're all looking strong and ready to go. I definitely feel like everybody is getting used to running. I think we're almost ready to go. Me personally -- I'm ready and I'm excited."
U-M Fifth-Year Senior Amber Smith
On her personal performance today and shaking off rust ... "It felt really good. It was good to be out here with my team out here on our home track. Obviously, I have places to improve, but I'm happy because this time last year I wasn't even competing. It feels good. Right now I'm just ready to push through (the pain) and give my all for my teammates. It's my last season; I've got to go all in."
On her competitive spirit with Cindy Ofili ... "It's awesome. I don't know how many people can say that they train with an All-American every day, but I do. I love it. It does get very competitive and it's good, but it is good for the both of us. When we get on the line we know we're going to be our toughest competitors. It's very good for us."
U-M Sophomore Courtney Munley
On the team and individual performance in the mile ... "For the team I thought that it was really great that we could all work together. I knew going in that it was going to be mostly us up front. I was looking forward to working with my teammates. Individually it was a six-second PR for me. I was really happy and I feel that I have more to give in the next meet."
On the closeness of the middle distance runners ... "I cannot even explain to you how cool it is to have a group of people that you can train with everyday. It's a bond that you can't compare to anything else. They're your friends and your teammates. Succeeding together is so much fun. It is especially great to train with Brooke (Handler); I've always looked up to her. We're from the same county in high school. To actually be training her is the coolest thing for me. It's really great to train with people who are faster than you."
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
