MIDLAND – The Saginaw Valley State University track & field teams competed just down the road at the Northwood University Open on Saturday (Apr. 11). The Cardinals posted some solid times in the competition, their first official entire outdoor meet in the state of Michigan.
On the men's side, Josh Simmons finished first in the 400 Meter Run, clocking-in with a mark of 49.40.
Andrew Middleton claimed the top mark in the 1,500 Meter Run with a time of 3:58.24 and teammate James Walker was first in the 400 Meter Hurdles, finishing with a time of 54.95.
The 4 x 400 relay team of Simmons, Elias Chiatalas, James Cousins and Andrew Mudd finished first with a time of 3:18.98 as well. The 4 x 100 team of Simmons, Travon Phillips, Brandon Love and Mudd finished runner-up with a time of 42.61.
Ian Rudel won the Pole Vault with a height of 14'3.5" and teammate Joe Thwing was second, posting a mark of 13'3.75".
Robert Tarpley had a solid day as well, finishing first in the Triple Jump with a distance of 45'5.75" and runner-up in the Long Jump with a mark of 22'8.5".
Frank Sanders finished second in the High Jump with a height of 6'8.75", just clearing the NCAA Division II Provisional mark for the performance.
On the women's side, Cady Sandel took the top spot in the Javelin, throwing it a distance of 97'11".
The ladies had a couple of relay teams post good marks as well, as the 4 x 400 team of Devyn Powell, Kimberly Balls, Domonique Smith and Lina Davis claimed first with a time of 3:59.48. Their teammates Paige Stepanski, Savanah Feldpausch, Mairi Van Dyke and Sidney Bischer took second with a time of 4:03.76 in the same event. In the 4 x 100 Relay, Smith, Balls, Powell and Bria Williams finished in the runner-up spot, crossing the line with a time of 48.58.
Davis finished first in the 400 Hurdles with a time of 1:05.40 while Brittany Johnson, Chantelle Fondren and Stepanski swept the top three spots in the 800 Meter Run. Their finishing times were 2:16.04, 2:17.43 and 2:18.93, respectively.
Both teams are back in action this upcoming week at the Mt. SAC Relays and the Al Owens Classic.
