Michigan
Jesse Owens Invitational
Personal Bests Close Out Jesse Owens Classic
4/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
April 23, 2016
Michael Hovater
» A pair of Wolverines set PRs in the 800, with Nate Chapman taking third and Ryan Wilkie winning his heat to place ninth overall.
» Joe Ellis continues to improve his No. 2 all-time hammer throw mark, checking in at 65.82 meters (215-11.25 ft.) this weekend to finish as the second collegian behind the owner of the No. 3 mark in the NCAA.
» U-M also matched or set new personal-best performances in the high jump and pole vault.
Site: Columbus, Ohio (Jesse Owens Stadium)
Event: Jesse Owens Classic (Day 2 of 2)
U-M Team Result: Non-scoring.
Next U-M Event: Thu-Sat., April 28-30 -- at Penn Relays, Hillsdale Gina Relays; Fri-Sat., April 29-30 -- at Bobcat Classic; Sunday, May 1 -- at Payton Jordan Invitational
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The University of Michigan men's track and field team wrapped up events at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Classic with a full slate of events on Saturday (April 23) at Jesse Owens Stadium. The Maize and Blue competed athletes in nine events over two days and recorded personal bests in the 800-meter run, hammer throw and high jump today.
THROWS
Sophomore/freshman Joe Ellis furthered his PR with his first attempt of the finals at 65.82 meters (215-11.25 ft.). Ellis finished third overall but was the second collegian behind Youngstown State senior Connor Neu, owner of the No. 3 mark in the nation. Fifth-year senior Brad Bolton also competed and placed eighth.
MID-DISTANCE/DISTANCE
Both competing Wolverines set PRs at 800 meters, led by senior/junior Nate Chapman, who was runner-up in the first heat of the 800-meter run. His time of 1:50.20 was good for third overall, and sophomore Ryan Wilkie shaved more than 1.6 seconds off his outdoor PR to win the third heat in 1:52.64.
JUMPS
Freshman Brandon Piwinski continued to improve his top mark in the high jump, coming in over 2.03 meters (6-8 ft.) to finish seventh overall with only seniors and juniors above him.
POLE VAULT
Sophomore Michael Hovater was the runner-up finisher, one of three athletes whose day ended after clearing 4.80 meters (15-9 ft.). That matches Hovater's career best set earlier this season.
The Maize and Blue will send athletes to four different locations next week, with athletes competing at the Penn Relays (Philadelphia, Pa.), Hillsdale Gina Relays (Hillsdale, Mich.), Bobcat Classic (San Marco, Texas) and Payton Jordan Invitational (Stanford, Calif.).
COLLEGIATE PERSONAL BESTS
Track Events
800 meters
Nate Chapman -- 1:50.20
Ryan Wilkie -- 1:52.64
Field Events
Hammer Throw
Joe Ellis -- 65.82 meters (215-11.25 ft.)
Pole Vault
Michael Hovater -- 4.80 meters (15-9 ft.)*
* = Ties PR
TWEET OF THE DAY
Big PR's in the men's 800 at the #JOClassic, where @natechapman02 (1:50.20) finished third and @wilkster23 (1:52.64) won heat 3!#GoBlue
-- Michigan Track&Field (@umichtrack) April 23, 2016
-- Michigan Track&Field (@umichtrack) April 23, 2016
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
Players Mentioned
