Keys Smashes School Record in Heptathlon and 11 Golden Eagles Win Titles at Parkside

CHICAGO, Ill. – Marquette University track and field multis student-athletes Joe Keys and Simon Werven climbed their way up the school record books after their performances competed in the heptathlon at the Windy City Rumble this weekend at the University of Chicago.

"Seeing what our kids could do in the heptathlon this weekend was awesome to see," head coach Bert Rogers said. "To have Joe break his own school record and Simon make the top-10 all-time in his first heptathlon was outstanding."

Participating in the heptathlon, Joe Keys hit PR's in all four of the events he competed in Friday. He won the 60-meter dash (7.10), long jump (7.32 m/24-0.25 ft), shot put (12.71 m/41-8.50 ft) and took second in the high jump (1.85 m/6-0.75 ft).

Today, he finished strong in his final three events and eviscerated his former heptathlon school record (5,338 points) with a total of 5,667 points. Keys performance puts him at No. 7 nationally this season and drastically increases his chances of competing in the heptathlon at nationals in March.

Freshman Simon Werven also finished strong today for MU. Yesterday, he took third in the 60-meter dash (7.37, PR), fifth in the long jump (6.25 m/20-6.0 ft, PR), fourth in the shot put (10.11 m/33-2.00 ft, PR) and third in the high jump (1.85 m/6-0.75 ft). He took fourth overall among seven competitors and finished with 4,322 points, putting him at No. 9 all-time.

PARKSIDE CLASSIC:

The Golden Eagles took home 11 titles on Saturday at the Parkside Classic. The women won seven out of the 16 events while the men won four.

It was a great day for the MU freshmen as Payton Hanselman took home the 55-meter dash title with a time of 7.46 and Mila Puseljic won the long jump (5.45 m/17-10.75 ft).

Also in the field events, Julie Clayton took care of business in the pole vault (3.70 m/12-1.50 ft) while Allie Flando won the shot put (13.79m/45-3.00 ft).

Senior Kalina Gardiner won the 800m title (2:22.37) with freshman Anna Penzkover (2:22.97) finishing right on her heels. Emily Foley hit a PR in the mile with her victory (5:04.00), winning the race by five seconds over the second-place finisher.

For the men, freshman Mitchell Van Vooren hit a PR (7.96) on his way to a victory in the 55-meter hurdles. Cameron Jemison took home another pole vault win with a height of 4.80 m/15-9.00 ft.

Another freshman, Imari Hurte, won the long jump (7.01 m/23-0 ft) while Vinnie Voudrie finished first in the shot put (16.09 m/52-9.50 ft).

"We got to see multiple PR's, a couple top-10 marks and overall improvement across the board," Rogers said. "We also held a couple people out who should be back in action here soon. I'm excited to have everyone get back to work this week at practice."

UP NEXT:
MU will send both teams to the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Big Meet on Friday, Feb. 14.

TOP FINISHERS:
Field:
• Julie Clayton took home the pole vault title (3.70 m/12-1.50 ft) at Parkside.
• Mila Puseljic won the long jump (5.45 m/17-10.75 ft) at Parkside.
• Allie Flando took first place in the shot put at Parkside with a distance of 13.79 m/45-3.00 ft.
• Lizzy Cagle took third place in the weight throw and set a PR with a distance of 17.39 m/57-0.75 ft.
• Imari Hurte won the long jump (7.01 m/23-0 ft) at Parkside.
• Vinnie Voudrie won the weight throw (16.09 m/52-9.50 ft) at Parkside.
• Cameron Jemison won the pole vault at Parkside with a height of 4.80 m/15-9.00 ft.

Track:
• Payton Hanselman won the 55m at the Parkside Classic with a time of 7.46.
• Emily Foley won the mile at Parkside with a time of 5:04.00.
• Kelsey Hunn won the 55m hurdles (8.67) at Parkside.
• Caitlin McGauley (9:58.65) and Lauren Neiheisel (9:53.45) set PR's in the 3000m at the Meyo Invitational.
• Kalina Gardiner won the 800m at Parkside with a time of 2:22.37. Freshman Anna Penzkover took second place (2:22.97).
• Emily Noone (2:13.05) took 13th in the 800m and set a PR at the Meyo Invitational.
• Mitchell Van Vooren won the 55m hurdles at Parkside (7.96, PR).

ALL-TIME FINISHES:
• #9 – 800m – 2:13.05 – Emily Noone (2-second PR, first time in the top-ten)
• #9 – Heptathlon – 4322 – Simon Werven (first ever Heptathlon)
• #8 – Weight Throw – 17.39 / 57-0.75 – Lizzy Cagle (PR, first time in the top-ten)
• #5 – 5000m – 14:30.85 – Daniel Pederson (shaves .03 seconds off his previous PR to remain #5 all-time)
• #5 – Long Jump – 5.78 / 18-11.75 – Mady Marko (PR in the Pentathlon. New BIG EAST leader)
• #4 – Pentathlon – 3506 – Mady Marko (PR of almost 200 points. New BIG EAST leader)
• #3 – Long Jump – 7.32 / 24-0.25 – Joe Keys (PR in the 2^nd event of the Heptathlon. New BIG EAST leader)
• #1 – Heptathlon – 5667 – Joe Keys (PR score ranks him #7 nationally)

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