Anisko Breaks School Record in Hammer Throw

April 28, 2007

NORMAL, ILL. - The Marquette men's and women's track & field teams competed at the Redbird Invitational, Saturday, hosted by Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Highlighting the day was senior Damian Anisko, who, with a toss of 188-9 in the hammer throw, set a Golden Eagle record en route to a second-place finish. The heave, breaking the previous record of 184-2 set by Chris Schwandt in 2002, was a personal best by 5-2. He also finished first in the discus with a toss of 158-7.

"The weather was warm and we had almost perfect conditions for competing had it not been for the wind," said head coach David Uhrich. "We competed well today as many people placed high in their events."

Another impressive mark on the day came from MU junior Kristin Stoniecki. She cleared a height of 12-1.5 in the pole vault, tying her school record and setting a new meet record.

The Golden Eagle women claimed four of the top five places in the 800m. Freshmen Katlin Millin (2:13.94) and Dani Owen (2:16.82) finished first and second. Junior Kaitlyn Chambers (2:17.29) was fourth, followed by freshman Sarah Verdoliva (2:18.44) who finished fifth. Owen's mark was a personal best.

Marquette also finished first and second in the shot put. Junior Jenna Mahaffey made the longest toss of the day, and of her career, with a heave of 44-2.75. With the second-longest toss, 42-11.75, was freshman Rachel Thiel. She qualified for the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships.

Sophomore Audra Ketelsen finished second in the discus throw with a toss of 138-6. Finishing fourth was Mahaffey with a throw of 136-8.

Mahaffey also claimed a second-place finish in the hammer throw with a personal-best toss of 170-7.

In the 1,500m, freshman Anna Weber crossed the finish line in second place in a time of 4:50.04. Just behind her in fourth place was junior Heidi Lindeman. She finished in a time of 4:56.69.

Senior Lauren Chmielewski notched her best place finish of the outdoor season, crossing the line in fourth in the 400m hurdles in a time of 1:07.83.

In the triple jump, sophomore Sharon Fritz placed fourth with a leap of 36-6.75.

Sophomore Amy Stoniecki finished third with a personal-best toss of 111-8 in the javelin.

On the men's side, freshman Michael O'Brien (55.79), senior Loren Wagner (55.90) and sophomore Tom Cassady (55.94) finished second, third and fourth in the 400m hurdles. O'Brien and Cassady's times were each career bests.

Freshman Randey Fisher finished fifth in the 400m thanks to a personal-best effort of 49.82.

In the 800m, freshman Eric Meissner recorded a personal-best time of 1:57.71 to finish fourth.

Freshman T.J. Hodgson finished in a tie for fourth in the long jump, clearing the bar at 6-2.75.

Finishing in a tie for first in the pole vault was senior Zach Pawlowski. He cleared 15-3.

Freshman Drew Craig finished second in the 5,000m in a time of 15:49.18.

Also competing on Saturday, at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, were seniors Michaela Courtney and Tommy Schmitz. In a time of 4:29.05, Courtney finished 10th overall and third of all collegiate competitors. Schmitz finished ninth in his 1,500m race in a time of 3:49.54.

"Each had really good races today," added Uhrich. "The weekend before the BIG EAST meet is always a difficult weekend to race. I think both had their focus on the conference meet today."

The Golden Eagles will next travel to Storrs, Conn., for the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships, May 4-6.