MU Track and Field Impresses in Indoor Season Opener

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Marquette University men's and women's track and field teams performed admirably in their first meet of the season at the Blue & Gold Invitational hosted by Notre Dame. Seven Golden Eagles took first place in their respective events, 37 set personal records and eight made all-time top-10 lists.

"Today's meet was a great measuring stick to help us see where we're at as a team," head coach Bert Rogers said. "I was really impressed with the performances of our newcomers and our returners. We also had several student-athletes hit top-10 marks in program history, which is very impressive considering this was only the first meet of the season."

On the men's side, 2019 Second Team All-American Daniel Armstrong started his senior season off with a bang after finishing in first place in the high jump with a height of 2.16 meters/7 feet, 1 inch. His jump tonight was good for the No. 3 all-time indoor high jump mark in program history.

Sophomore Jefferson Osunkwo hit a new personal record in the triple jump with a distance of 13.39 meters/43 feet, 11.25 inches, taking first place overall in the event. Junior pole vaulter Cameron Jemison took third place and hit the No. 7 all-time mark in program history with a height of 4.65 meters/15 feet, 3 inches.

Freshmen Imari Hurte (long jump), Zachariah Murray (400 meters) and Julian Wright (200 meters) each started off their MU careers with stellar performances. Hurte (6.71 meters/22 feet, 0.25 inches) placed third in the long jump while Murray (49.00) placed fourth and hit the No. 8 mark all-time in school history. Wright (22.22) finished first and his time tied for ninth all-time at MU.

On the women's side, Lindsey Mirkes (high jump), Julie Clayton (pole vault) and Mila Puseljic (triple jump) took first place in their respective events. Freshman Juru Okwaramoi (60-meter hurdles) ran a 9.17 in her collegiate debut, a time which landed her in ninth all-time in program history for the event.

Senior captain Madison Marko jumped a personal-best 5.49 meters/18 feet, 0.25 inches to finish third in the long jump. Sophomore thrower Lizzy Cagle improved on her previous personal best in the weight throw by over 10 feet to take fifth place in the event on Friday afternoon (16.99 meters/55 feet, 9 inches).

Freshman Mila Puseljic (triple jump) began her Golden Eagle career with a first place finish (11.18 meters/36 feet, 8.25 inches) while sophomore Arianna Mansavage earned runner-up honors in the 400-meter with a time of 56.99. Her time also put her at No. 6 all-time at MU in school history.

"Seeing all the hard work everyone put into the offseason was great to see today," Rogers said. "We had multiple kids set personal bests and make their way into history with their performances. Now we'll look to build on this effort and get back to work this next month to prepare for the rest of the season."

Up Next:
Both the men's and women's teams will wait to compete again until Saturday, Jan. 18 at the John Tierney Invitational, hosted by Milwaukee. The meet will take place at the Klotsche Center.

Keep up with the Marquette track and field program through social media by following on Twitter (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and `liking' on Facebook (/MUTFXC).

Notes:

WOMEN:
60-meter hurdles: Juru Okwaramoi (9.17) PR // #9AT
Long Jump: Madison Marko (5.49 meters/18 feet, 0.25 inches) PR // Third Place
High Jump: Lindsey Mirkes (1.65 meters/5 feet, 5 inches) First Place
Weight Throw: Lizzy Cagle (16.99 meters/55 feet, 9 inches) PR // Fifth Place
Pole Vault: Julie Clayton (3.90 meters/12 feet, 9.5 inches) PR // First Place
Triple Jump: Mila Puseljic (11.18 meters/36 feet, 8.25 inches) PR // First Place
400 Meters: Arianna Mansavage (56.99) PR // Second Place // #6AT
200 Meters: Breanne Marchan (25.45) Second Place
4x400 Meter Relay: (4:01.48) Hanselman, Mansavage, Okwaramoi, Xavier Second Place

MEN:
Long Jump: Imari Hurte (6.71 meters/22 feet, 0.25 inches) PR // Third Place
Pole Vault: Cameron Jemison (4.65 meters/15 feet, 3 inches) T-#7AT // Third Place
High Jump: Daniel Armstrong (2.16 meters/7 feet, 1 inch) First Place // #3AT
Triple Jump: Jefferson Osunkwo (13.39 meters/43 feet, 11.25 inches) PR // First Place
60-Meter Hurdles: Mitchell Van Vooren (8.61) PR // Third Place
400 Meters: Zachariah Murray (49.00) PR // Fourth Place // #8AT
60 Meters: Daniel Bendel: (6.97) PR // Fifth Place // #7AT
200 Meters: Julian Wright (22.22) PR // First Place // T-#9AT
4x400 Meter Relay: (3:16.96) Keys, Murray, Sagan, Wright First Place // #5AT