Gedris, Caudy Win on First Day of Power Five Invite

Friday, January 31

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

Power Five Invitational

James Gedris (Michigan Photography)

1/31/2020 7:03:00 PM | Men's Track & Field

By: Kyle Terwillegar

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Indoor Track Building)
Event: Power Five Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
U-M Result: No team scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 1 -- host Power Five Invitational - Day Two (U-M Indoor Track Building), 11 a.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's track and field team got two event wins and the sprinters and hurdlers showed out in the qualifying round as the Wolverines opened competition on day one of the Power Five Invitational on Friday (Jan. 31) at the U-M Indoor Track Building.

James Gedris dropped the hammer in the final kilometer of the 5,000-meter race to run a lifetime-best 14:23.66, and Noah Caudy out-battled teammate Sean Marshall to the line in a tight race over 600 meters as the Wolverines swept the only two track finals on the first of two days of Power Five Invitational action.

Additionally, Michigan advanced four entries into Saturday's finals in the 60-meter hurdles and 60-meter dash.

The trio of Sierra Hendrix-Williams, Roland Amarteifio and Job Mayhue all advanced in the hurdles with top-seeded times between 8.00 and 8.09, while Asani Hampton will contend for the 60-meters crown after running 6.84 in the prelims.

Gedris ran even with North Carolina's Matt Thornton through four of five kilometers in his race, before dropping five seconds off his lap time with five to go. The injection of pace allowed Gedris to open up what eventually grew to a nearly 14-second gap as he powered through the final 1,000 meters.

Caudy and Marshall ran side-by-side down the homestretch in their 600-meter final, with Caudy just out-leaning Marshall at the line for a victory of just over a quarter of a second, 1:22.96 to 1:23.21.

The Wolverine hurdles crew was quick as always, headlined by Hendrix-Williams' top-seeded 8.00. Amarteifio made his 2020 debut in the event with an 8.04 clocking to win his heat, while Mayhue was a close third on the overall list in 8.09.

All three will compete in Saturday's final at 12:05 p.m.

Hampton will take the track shortly thereafter on Saturday after clocking the third-fastest time of the day in the 60-meter prelims in 6.84. He will be in contention for the win as he finished just .03 seconds behind the top seed.

Friday's action also included the first of two days of action in the seven-event heptathlon, with Heath Baldwin and Mason Mahacek second and fourth in the overall standings, respectively.

Baldwin was particularly strong on the day, posting the best high jump performance of the day at 2.02m (6 feet, 7.5 inches) and the second-best performance in the long jump at 6.60m (21-7.75). Mahacek was third-best in the field in those same events.

The heptathlon will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, with field events beginning at 11 a.m. and the track program starting at noon. Action is expected to conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Michigan Collegiate Career-Best Performances

Career debuts not included

Heath Baldwin -- 6.60m (21-7.75) / Long Jump (I)
Sierra Hendrix-Williams -- 7.18 / 60m (I)
Mason Mahacek -- 6.56m (21-6.25) / Long Jump (I)
Sean Marshall -- 1:23.21 / 600m (I)

Full Michigan Results by Event

60 Meters
Prelims (Final to be contested Saturday)
3. Asani Hampton / 6.84q
14. Joe McCarthy / 7.11
15. Sierra Hendrix-Williams / 7.18

200 Meters
To be contested Saturday

400 Meters
To be contested Saturday

600 Meters
1. Noah Caudy / 1:22.96
2. Sean Marshall / 1:23.21

800 Meters
To be contested Saturday

Mile
To be contested Saturday

3,000 Meters
To be contested Saturday

5,000 Meters
1. James Gedris / 14:23.66
3. Tom Brady / 14:37.65

60-Meter Hurdles
Prelims (Final to be contested Saturday)
1. Sierra Hendrix-Williams / 8Q
2. Roland Amarteifio / 8.04Q
3. Job Mayhue / 8.09q

4x400 Relay
To be contested Saturday

High Jump
To be contested Saturday