Michigan
Len Paddock Invitational (Day 1)
Intermediate Hurdlers Set Early Pace at Paddock Invite
5/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In a display of its depth in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, the University of Michigan men's track and field team swept the top five spots in the event Friday evening (May 6) to headline the first day of competition at the Len Paddock Invitational at U-M's Ferry Field.
Sophomore/freshman Chris Stowe (Traverse City, Mich./North HS) matched his personal best in the event (52.29) to post the quickest time of the 15-man competition and earn his second NCAA regional-qualifying standard of the season. Stowe battled senior Seth Waits (Grand Rapids, Ohio/Ostego HS) in the third heat, beating the Wolverine captain to the line by just 0.05 seconds. Waits also tallied his second NCAA qualifying mark of the year in the runner-up finish with a season-best 52.34.
Waits was joined by fifth-year seniors David Battani (Fraser, Mich./Fraser HS) and Nick Meter (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice HS), who also posted season-best performances in their final appearance at Ferry Field, claiming third and fifth place, respectively. Meter clocked a time of 53.19 to shave 0.38 from his previous personal best in the event, while Battani missed his own career mark by just 0.04 seconds. Freshman Dan Harmsen (Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS), competing unattached, claimed fourth place overall after posting a time of 53.13 to nip Meter at the line in the first heat.
Freshman Mike Woods (Ottawa, Ontario/Hillcrest HS) just missed his second NCAA regional-qualifying effort in the 1,500-meter run, placing third in the event with a time of 3:48.40. Woods led most of the race but could not hold his advantage through the final 200 meters to fall 0.19 seconds shy of the standard.
The Wolverines will resume competition tomorrow (Saturday, May 7) for the second and final day at the Len Paddock Invitational. Field events kick off at 10 a.m., while running competition begins at 12:30 p.m. at Ferry Field.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
