Wolverines Capture Four Event Titles at Simmons-Harvey Invitational

Saturday, January 22

Ann Arbor, Mich.

11:00 AM

Michigan

Simmons-Harvey Invitational

Wolverines Capture Four Event Titles at Simmons-Harvey Invitational

1/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field

Jan. 22, 2011

• Complete Results | Photo Gallery | Notes & Quotes

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Indoor Track Building)
Event: Simmons-Harvey Invitational
Result: No Team Scoring
Next U-M Event: Fri-Sat., Jan. 28-29 -- at Indiana Relays (Bloomington, Ind.), 5 p.m./10 a.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's track and field team picked up four individual wins as it teamed up with the men's team to host the annual Simmons-Harvey Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 22) at the U-M Indoor Track Building. The event wrapped up Michigan's two-weekend home stand.

Freshman Alex Leptich (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) picked up her first career win, taking the mile run in 4:55.15. The freshman stayed in second place for most of the race before making a move in the final 400 meters, using a 1:09.00 split over the last two laps to become the first Wolverine to break the five-minute barrier this season.

Sophomore Erin Pendleton (Lindsey, Ohio/Woodmore) improved her personal best in the weight throw for the third consecutive week, winning the event on her final throw. Pendleton's final throw of 18.93 meters (62-01.25) was the first time she had surpassed the 60-foot mark.

In the Francie Kraker Goodridge 800-meter run, freshman Megan Weschler (Wyandotte, Mich./Roosevelt) won her first event as a Wolverine, crossing in 2:14.07 with more than a two-second cushion over Central Michigan's Charnele Lyons (2:16.21).

Juniors Alexandria Williams (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) and Brittani Williams (Detroit, Mich./Jackson) went 1-2 in the 600-meter run as Alexandria Williams finished in 1:34.05 with her teammate right behind her at 1:34.19. Senior Jennifer Neville (Dearborn, Mich./Divine Child) finished third in the three-lap race (1:36.66), the first time she had ever run the 600.

The Maize and Blue also took runner-up finishes in three field events. Redshirt freshman Kiley Tobel (Commerce Twp., Mich./Walled Lake Western) cleared a personal-best 3.70 meters (12-01.50) in the pole vault for second-place honors. Redshirt sophomore Brianna Jenkins (Novi, Mich./Northville) bounced back from an injury last weekend to finish second in the high jump with a personal-best clearance of 1.72 meters (5-07.75). Freshman Amber Smith (Cleveland, Ohio/Collinwood) rounded out the runner-up performances with a mark of 5.60 meters (18-04.50) in the long jump.

In addition to the Wolverines' victories, redshirt junior captain Allison Liske (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland East) won the shot put competing unattached, with a toss of 15.19 meters ( 49-10.00). Senior Emily Pendleton (Lindsey, Ohio/Woodmore) finished runner-up, also competing unattached, with a throw of 14.45 meters (47-05.00).

The Wolverines leave Washtenaw County for the first time in 2011 next weekend (Fri-Sat., Jan. 28-29), heading to Indiana University for the Indiana Relays. Friday's action starts at 5 p.m., with Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Event Winners/U-M Finishers

Weight Throw 1. Erin Pendleton, U-M               18.93m  (62-01.25) 2. Emily Pendleton, unatt.           17.72m  (58-01.75)12. Joanna Fleming, U-M               15.47m  (50-09.25)13. Kari Prena, U-M                   14.43m  (47-04.25) Pole Vault 1. Jessica Hemingway, EMU             4.00m  (13-01.50 2. Kiley Tobel, U-M                   3.70m  (12-01.50 3. Andrea Marcos, U-M                 3.55m  (11-07.7511. Erica Marcos, U-M                  2.75m  (9-00.25) Long Jump 1. Uhunoma Osazuwa, unatt.            6.20m   (19-09.00) 2. Amber Smith, U-M                   5.60m   (18-04.50) 6. Taylor Moore-Willis, U-M           5.00m   (16-05.00)14. Asia Body, U-M                     4.52m   (14-10.00)15. Bernease Herman, U-M               4.35m   (14-03.25)--  Sara Nitz, U-M                     FOUL High Jump 1. Erika Schroll, unatt.              1.77m   (5-09.75) 2. Brianna Jenkins, U-M               1.72m   (5-07.75) 4. Tofunmi Akeredolu, U-M             1.67m   (5-05.75) 5. Sara Nitz, U-M                     1.62m   (5-03.75)    Lauren Young, U-M                  1.62m   (5-03.75)15. Erin Busbee, U-M                   1.52m   (4-11.75) Shot Put 1. Allison Liske, unatt.             15.19m   (49-10.00) 2. Emily Pendleton, unatt.           14.45m   (47-05.00) 7. Erin Pendleton, U-M               12.59m   (41-03.75)11. Kari Prena, U-M                   10.32m   (33-10.25)18. Erin Busbee, U-M                  10.66m   (34-11.75)21. Bernease Herman, U-M               9.97m   (32-08.50)25. Taylor Moore-Willis, U-M           9.14m   (30-00.00)26. Sara Nitz, U-M                     8.57m   (28-01.50) 60-meter Hurdles 1. Tiffany Ofili, adidas              8.07 6. Erin Busbee, U-M                   9.23 9. Taylor Moore-Willis, U-M           9.7314. Sara Nitz, U-M                    10.15 Prelims -- Bernease Herman, U-M              10.30 -- Amber Smith, U-M                  11.08 60-meter Dash1.  Tiffany Ofili, adidas              7.4111. Charlotte Cahill, U-M              7.95 Mile 1. Alex Leptich, U-M               4:55.15 8. Chloe Prince, U-M               5:10.3410. Alicia Patterson, unatt.        5:12.2614. Alex Keyser, unatt.             5:23.3815. Erica Crane, unatt.             5:26.0718. Megan Pearson, unatt.           5:28.28 400-meter Dash 1. Dejaa Shearer, EMU                56.73 7. Ada Unachukwu, U-M                59.62 600-meter Run 1. Alexandria Williams, U-M        1:34.05 2. Brittani Williams, U-M          1:34.18 3. Jennifer Neville, U-M           1:35.66 800-meter Run 1. Megan Weschler, U-M             2:14.07 8. Nicole Prince, U-M              2:26.6212. Morgan Bailey, U-M              2:32.07 200-meter Dash 1. Naomi Andre, EMU                  24.60 6. Charlotte Cahill, U-M             26.00 3,000-meter Run 1. Raeanne Lohner, CMU            10:04.65 2. Monica Barnes, U-M             10:06.8410. Nicola Hallenborg, unatt.      10:35.3113. Courtney Clancy, U-M           10:46.3917. Elisabeth Hindert, U-M         11:18.59 4x400-meter Relay 1. Eastern Michigan                3:46.56 2. MICHIGAN 'A'                    3:46.69   (Brittani Williams, Jennifer Neville,    Alexandria Williams, Alisha Cole)

N O T E S

• The attendance at Saturday's meet was 1,791.

• The meet is named for former U-M head coaches Red Simmons (women) and Jack Harvey (men).

• Competing schools were U-M, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Detroit-Mercy, Valparaiso, Hillsdale, Cornerstone, Oakland and Michigan State.

• Former U-M runners Tiffany Ofili (2006-09) and Shana Vinson (2007-10) competed at the event.

• Molly McClimon was recognized prior to the start of the running events. McClimon was a former cross country and track athlete who was inducted into Michigan's Hall of Honor today.

• The Wolverines have won the mile at each event this season. Taylor Pogue won it at the EMU Invitational, Jillian Smith won it against Ohio State and Alex Leptich won it today.

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach James Henry
On running some different athletes today ... "For the middle and distance runners, that was the goal (to give more people a chance to compete). We have a large, young group of girls and they need an opportunity to compete. Mike (McGuire) mixed it up today, allowing some girls to rest because we have some big meets coming up."

On the performances of Kiley Tobel in the pole vault and Erin Pendleton in the weight throw ... "They are continually improving in their events. I think that the rate at which Erin has improved has been a very pleasant surprise. Kiley has been working hard, and she has stated that she really wants to contribute to this team."

On what other areas he was happy with today ... "My high jumpers. I thought that Brianna Jenkins and Tofunmi Akeredolu both performed well today after not competing last week. They both came back from injuries, and they are still not 100 percent, but they gave what they had. I cannot ask for more from them and was happy with that group today."

U-M Sophomore Thrower Erin Pendleton
On the atmosphere of the meet today after last week's dual ... "It was more relaxed. It was not as hyped up, but there was still good competition here today. I am used to really good competition, and every meet I go out, I want to do my best."

On hosting the meet ... "I think it is a good thing. People can come out, like other students and people in the community, and watch us compete. It is really exciting because our parents can see us compete as well. I like hosting home meets because it is always a fun time."

On her goals for the season ... "To keep improving. I really want to get that weight throw record. I am only one foot away and really want it. I will be happy if I get it. I have gotten consistently a lot further during practice, reaching about 17 feet. Last year, I was only throwing about 15 feet in practices. I feel really excited and really amped up when I come to meets."

Contact: Sarah VanMetre (734) 763-4423