Track Completes Action at Bill Clinger Classic

ALLENDALE, Michigan - The Marquette University men's and women's track & field teams concluded the Bill Clinger Classic at Grand Valley State University Saturday morning. By the end of the meet 14 Golden Eagles had found spots on the podium and five took home the gold.

"We had some solid performances, won a few events, but just really grinded and competed hard," said head coach Bert Rogers. "The coaches are all happy with where we are at and look forward to building on it next week."

Saturday morning brought the conclusion of the heptathlon. Junior Simon Werven won the heptathlon with 4842 points. Werven put together a consistent performance placing in the top two in six of seven events, including a first in the long jump (6.59 meters/21 feet, 7.5 inches). Freshman Gus Kasun finished runner-up to Werven with 4471 points in his first heptathlon for MU. Kasun recorded personal bests in all seven events and posted a first-place finish in the 1000 meters (2:48.28). Kasun's score ranks eighth all-time in MU history.

On Friday, the Bill Clinger Classic kicked off with the pentathlon. Junior Katie Dingle finished second in the event with 3243 points. Dingle finished in the top three in all five events and hit a personal best in the high jump with a mark of 1.62 meters/5 feet, 3.75 inches. In her first collegiate pentathlon, freshman Julia Wiecek placed eighth with 1784 points. Wiecek recorded PRs in the 800 meters (2:45.55) and the shot put (8.85 meters/29 feet, 0.5 inches).

In the women's 400 meters, Arianna Mansavage and Daylee Braden claimed the top two spots on the podium. Mansavage won with a time of 56.69, and Braden followed behind coming in at 57.21.

In the field events, three Golden Eagles took home the gold. Harry Baker won the high jump, clearing a height of 1.95 meters/6 feet, 4.75 inches. In the men's shot put, freshman Josh Pirogovsky got his first win with a personal best mark of 14.71 meters/48 feet, 3.25 inches. Kaylee Hopp took down the triple jump with a mark of 11.47 meters/37 feet, 7.5 inches.

UP NEXT:
MU will be competing in two meets next weekend. Part of the squad will head to Notre Dame for the Meyo Invitational (Feb. 3-4), while the rest of the team will compete in the Tadd Metzger Invitational (Feb. 4) at Carthage College.

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