Michigan
Notre Dame Meyo Invitational
Baumgarten Takes 5K Win in South Bend
2/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Feb. 5, 2016
» Hurdler/sprinter Drake Johnson, also a member of the U-M football team, made his Wolverine track and field debut this afternoon in the 60-meter hurdles.
» Johnson (60 hurdles) and Chris Maye (60 dash) qualified for tomorrow's semifinals in their respective events.
Site: South Bend, Ind. (Loftus Sports Center)
Event: Meyo Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
U-M Team Result: Non-scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 6 -- at Meyo Invitational - Day 2 (South Bend, Ind.), 9:45 a.m.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The University of Michigan men's track and field team put in several quality performances during day one action at Notre Dame's Meyo Invitational on Friday (Feb. 5), highlighted by junior/sophomore Aaron Baumgarten's 5K victory. Baumgarten closed with an impressive kick over the final 600 meters to claim victory, setting the tone for what U-M hopes will be another productive weekend at the Loftus Sports Center in South Bend.
MID-DISTANCE/DISTANCE
Baumgarten executed what assistant coach Kevin Sullivan called a simple race plan. The race ran a little slower than expected early, but Baumgarten worked himself into a smart position for the first few miles. When the rabbit dropped off, he took the lead outright for about 600 meters before he was challenged.
The Williamston, Michigan, Wolverine was gapped with about 1K to go but made a hard move at 600 meters and put in a 61-second quarter mile from the 600-200 mark to pull away down the home stretch and come in at 14:08.75. That time marked a PR of more than 14 seconds for Baumgarten, who worked with fifth-year senior August Pappas, who finished fourth, and Pappas' classmate Nick Posada.
Sullivan could see this kind of performance coming from Baumgarten, whose practice efforts have been impressive of late.
"He's been looking really good in practice with the strength work we do," said Sullivan, "and as we've been adding a little bit more speed work he's been looking sharper and sharper, so it wasn't a surprise to see him look as smooth and controlled as he did."
Senior Nate Chapman finished runner-up in the 600-meter race, clocking 1:18.52, just .25 seconds away from his personal best set two weekends ago on the same track at the Notre Dame Invitational (Jan. 23). Chapman continues to show a steady ability to go into the low-1:18s at that distance, and he's owning his niche in the U-M mid-distance group.
"That mark is Chapman's second-fastest time ever, so he's very consistent now in that range," said Sullivan.
"I think that's really going to set him up well. He's going to come back and pop off our 4x4 relay tomorrow, and we're looking forward to some more quality races with guys in the mile and 3K races as well."
SPRINTS
A little more than three weeks after joining the active roster, junior Drake Johnson made his Wolverine track and field debut and opened up at 8.40 seconds in the 60 hurdles to earn a place in tomorrow's (Saturday, Feb. 5) three-heat semifinal scheduled for 10:45 a.m.
Wolverine alum Jeff Porter (2004-07) also competed in the event, running 7.73 to win the prelims and improve on his season best.
In the 60-meter dash, senior Chris Maye ran 6.954 to qualify for tomorrow's semifinals.
Events resume in South Bend on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. with the women's 3K race, followed by the men's, including three U-M entries.
COLLEGIATE PERSONAL BESTS
Track Events
5,000 meters
Aaron Baumgarten -- 14:08.75
TWEET OF THE DAY
First track meet in almost 4 years today. It's been a while, but I gotta rep the 〽️! Time to pop it off!
-- Drake Johnson (@DRAKEington) February 5, 2016
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
Players Mentioned
