Ryan Helps U-M Sit in Second at Collegiate Challenge

Friday, February 8

State College, Pa.

Michigan

USTCA Collegiate Challenge (Day 1)

2/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The University of Michigan women's track team completed the first day of competition in second place at the 12-team USTCA Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Penn State University. The Wolverines participated in four of six events held Friday (Feb. 8).

Katie Ryan (Rochester Hills. Mich./Rochester Adams HS) was Michigan's lone event champion, as she won the 5,000 meters with a personal-best 16:59.03, and April Phillips (Fraser, Mich./Fraser HS) shattered her school record in the weight throw for the second consecutive week with her first NCAA provisional toss, 58-6 3/4.

Ryan, one of three Wolverines competing in the 5,000 meters for the first time this season, won her second race of the year when she crossed the line nearly 12 seconds in front of her nearest competitor, Carlan Gray of Cornell (17:11.66). Ryan's time of 16:59.03 bettered her old mark of 16:59.99 set at the Stanford Invitational outdoor meet (March 3, 2000).

Phillips' provisional toss of 58-6 3/4 in the weight throw earned her fourth place and broke her week-old school record of 57-5 by nearly one foot. It was the fifth time this season she has broken her record and the first time she has throw for an NCAA provisional mark in the event. Phillips has four NCAA provisional tosses in the shot put entering tomorrow's competition.

The Wolverines will conclude action at the USTCA Collegiate Challenge Saturday (Feb. 9) with events scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Team Standings (After Day 1)

 1. Indiana 72 2. MICHIGAN 37 3. Penn State 36 4. Cornell 20 5. East Carolina 16 6. West Virginia 12 Kent State 12 8. Central Michigan 10 9. Pittsburgh 7 10. Michigan State 6 11. Buffalo 4 12. Air Force 2

Event Winners/U-M Finishers (Day 1)

60-Meter Dash 1. Rachelle Boone, Indiana 7.28@ 5,000-Meter Run 1. Katie Ryan, U-M 16:59.03 5. Jeanne Spink, U-M 17:30.22 12. Chelsea Homan, U-M 18:04.64 60-Meter Hurdles 1. Danielle Carruthers, Indiana 7.92@ 3. Robin Landfair, U-M 8.53 4. TaNisha Williams, U-M 8.58 6. Vera Simms, U-M 8.77 7. Sharifa Jones, U-M 8.85 Distance Medley Relay 1. West Virginia 11:21.00@ Long Jump 1. Rose Richmond, Indiana 19-11 3/4 (6.09m) 6. TaNisha Williams, U-M 18-8 (5.69m) 15. Vera Simms, U-M 17-8 3/4 (5.40m) 21. Sharifa Jones, U-M 17-2 (5.23m) 28. Breanne Tenclay, U-M 16-3 3/4 (4.97m) Weight Throw 1. Kelley McKinney, Indiana 63-02 3/4# (19.27m) 4. April Phillips, U-M 58-6 3/4#* (17.85m) 9. Melissa Bickett, U-M 51-3/4 (15.69m) @ NCAA automatic mark # NCAA provisional mark * U-M indoor record