Newcomers Shine for Michigan Men at Wolverine Invite

Saturday, January 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

11:00:00 AM

Michigan

Wolverine Invitational

Miles Brown (U-M Athletic Communications)

1/8/2022 4:21:00 PM | Men's Track & Field

By: Scott Kemps

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Indoor Track Building)
Event: Wolverine Invitational
U-M Result: No team scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Jan. 15 -- host, Simmons-Harvey Invitational (U-M Indoor Track Building), TBA

• Complete Results (PDF)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Newcomers made their mark right off the bat for the University of Michigan men's track and field team as it opened up its 2022 indoor season Saturday (Jan. 8) as it hosted the Wolverine Invitational at the U-M Indoor Track Building.

Michigan was particularly strong in the middle distance events, powered by historic debut performances from Miles Brown and Henry Johnson at 600 and 800 meters, respectively, in efforts that will likely put them in the top-25 nationally by the time all results are in from the weekend.

Brown came from behind to win the 600 meters on the final lap, taking the victory in 1:18.82 to eclipse the previous meet record by .04 seconds. The time moved him up to No. 7 in school history after just one meet, and it was the second-fastest ever by a Michigan freshman. It also ranks second in the conference.

Johnson excelled in what was essentially a solo effort other than a pacer, running 1:51.24 to whack two seconds off the existing meet record. Only four freshmen in program history have run faster than the Englishman Johnson, including Olympians Nate Brannen, Nick Willis and current director of track and field / cross country Kevin Sullivan.

Michigan got strong performances in the field in a pair of runner-up finishes from Bera Ajala in the long jump and transfer Aiden Felty in the shot put. Yet to debut in his signature triple jump event indoors for Michigan, Ajala leapt 7.07m (23 feet, 2.25 inches), while Felty went 16.77m (55-0.25) in his Wolverine debut.

Notably on the track, twins Anthony Hancock and Michael Hancock were second and third in the mile, finishing just ahead of their former high school coach Zach Ornelas, himself a U-M alum, in fourth.

Full Michigan Results by Event

q = qualified for final

60 meter dash
Final
3. Jacob Koerner / 6.98
--. Ryan McCloskey / DQ

600 meter run
Final
1. Miles Brown / 1:18.82 (Meet Record)
3. Thomas Shilgalis / 1:20.16 [New PR]
4. Lawrence Gilliam / 1:21.76
7. Leo Gabaron / 1:27.36

800 meter run
Final
1. Henry Johnson / 1:51.24 (Meet Record)

Mile
Final
2. Anthony Hancock / 4:12.49 [New PR]
3. Michael Hancock / 4:14.01
5. Jack Spamer / 4:14.97
6. Joe Meyers / 4:17.15 [New PR]
7. Anthony DeKraker / 4:23.01
8. John Florence / 4:24.95