Track & Field Completes Day One At BIG EAST Championships

The Marquette University track and field teams opened action on Friday at the 2021 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships presented by Jeep at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

The Golden Eagles and other competing programs will return to action at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, with a team champion being determined at the meet's conclusion tomorrow afternoon.

I'm proud of our effort today," head coach Bert Rogers said. "We had a ton of excellent performances and are setup tomorrow two have a fun day two."

Friday's action included scoring opportunities in multiple field events on both the men's and women's side, the start of action in the heptathlon and decathlon and preliminary heats in a majority of the running events. The steeplechase and 10,000m finals were also held to conclude the day's action.

Highlights on Friday included a second-place finish by Vinnie Voudrie in the hammer throw. His effort of 184-3 wasn't a personal best, but is the No. 9 mark in school history. Senior Madison Marko concluded her career in the long jump with a third-place finish, collecting a distance of 19-4.75. She earned second at the indoor meet in 2020, but Friday's placing was her career-best at the outdoor event.

Brielle Buchler finished third in the pole vault, clearing a height of 12-2.5. Marquis Ward, competing in the high jump for the first time this season finished third and cleared the No. 7 height in school history with an effort of 6-8.75. Kate Jochims finished sixth in the steeplechase and Kendall Pfrimmer claimed fifth in the 10,000m as well.

The Golden Eagles also had multiple competitors advance to Saturday's event finals on both the men's and women's side with strong performances in the preliminary heats. Included in that group was Juru Okwaramoi, who clocked a 14.43 in the 100m hurdles, a personal best and No. 8 time in school history.

Julian Wright continued his record-setting freshman season, this time in the 200m. He auto qualified for the finals with the top overall time of 21.13, a personal best, freshman record and No. 2 mark in school history.

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