Michigan
Hillsdale Winter Opener
Throwers Shine at Hillsdale's Winter Opener
1/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Jan. 9, 2016
» The Wolverines totaled nine top-five finishes to go along with event titles in the shot put (Derek Sievers) and weight throw (Joseph Ellis).
» Joseph Ellis' weight throw victory came at a distance of 62-2.50 ft. (18.96-meters), the fourth-furthest mark in program history.
Site: Hillsdale, Mich. (Biermann Athletic Center)
Event: Hillsdale Winter Opener
U-M Team Result: Non-scoring
Next U-M Event: Friday, Jan. 15 -- at Commodore Invitational (Nashville, Tenn.)
HILLSDALE, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's track and field team set a handful of personal-best marks on its way to nine top-five finishes at Hillsdale's Winter Opener meet on Saturday (Jan. 9) at Biermann Athletic Center. In a weekend heavy with field events action, the Wolverines won shot put and weight throw titles during a strong afternoon of performances.
Most of the U-M entries came in the field events, with multi-event athletes and throwers competing. Head coach Jerry Clayton was satisfied with many of the performances from his smaller group of competing athletes, and he emphasized the importance of the next few weeks of training for his team.
"Overall, we didn't have the largest group competing today, but the guys that came here did well," said Clayton.
"Now is when the season really begins. It's always tough over the break to not have your training disrupted, but it is what it is, and we get through it every year. Next weekend provides another test, and each week we have to step it up a little bit."
Senior Derek Sievers was victorious in the shot put, throwing 18.42 meters (60-05.25 ft.) for an early season best. That mark was just .13 meters off the facility-best throw, set in 2014.
Sophomore/freshman Joseph Ellis won the weight throw for his first event title a Wolverine, leading a one-two-three finish for U-M. Ellis threw 62-2.50 ft. (18.96-meters) for the win, fourth furthest in U-M history, while co-captain Grant Cartwright in second (60-9.25 ft., 18.52-meters) and fifth-year senior Brad Bolton took third (55-9.25 ft., 17.00 meters).
Sophomore Charlie DeJonge represented the multi-event athletes, competing in the 60-meter hurdles and running 8.73 to finish fourth. He also set a personal-best distance in the shot put at 37-6.75 ft. (11.45-meters).
Senior Stephen Sykes took third in the high jump, clearing 6-2.75 ft. (1.90-meters), while junior/sophomore Kevin Stephens Jr. placed fourth in the long jump, landing at 21-5.25 ft. (6.53-meters).
U-M also placed two in the top five of the pole vault. Freshman Kevin Haughn took fifth place, behind senior/junior Michael Hovater in fourth. Freshman Nicholas Burkhalter took 11th, clearing 14-3.25 ft. (4.35-meters).
The Maize and Blue will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for the two-day Commodore Classic (Jan. 15-16) while also sending athletes to Kent, Ohio, next weekend for the Doug Raymond Invite (Jan. 16, 10 a.m.).
Collegiate Personal Bests
60-meter Hurdles
Charlie DeJonge -- 8.73
Shot Put
Charlie DeJonge -- 37-6.75 ft. (11.45 meters)
Weight Throw
Grant Cartwright -- 60-9.25 ft. (18.52 meters)
Pole Vault
Kevin Haughn -- 15-3 ft. (4.65 meters)
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
Players Mentioned
