Ohio Controls Cherry Blossom Invitational
By: Maggie Shandrick
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ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio Track & Field Team opened home competition this weekend hosting the Ohio Cherry Blossom Invitational against the University of Charleston, Rio Grande and Marshall University. The Bobcats walked away with 12 first place finishes dominating the scoreboard 103-25-21-21.
Field Events
The seniors shined in all events – appropriate for their Senior Day. In long jump, seniors Tajah Smith and Olivia Mayfield took third and fifth place. Smith jumped a distance of 5.29m, while Mayfield scored a 5.14m. The Bobcats also took second through fourth places in the high jump.
Senior Emma Ryan placed first in the discus with a throw of 44.16m, and sophomore Gaza Odunaiya scored second, throwing 40.50m. Odunaiya also competed in hammer throw, winning first place with a throw of 49.97m. Ryan finished in second. Junior Jordan Porter, one of the best shot-putters in the Middle American Conference, won first place in the shot put, throwing almost three meters better than the second place finisher.
Track Events
On the track, the ladies continued their dominance. Hannah Bush won the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:13.26, and May Hodge took first place in the 100 meter hurdles, crossing the finish line at 14.79. Hodge also scored second in the 200 meter run. The ‘A’ and ‘B’ 4×100 meter relay teams finished in first and second place with times of 49.21 and 49.60.
In the 1,500 meter run, the Bobcats took the top five finishes. Sophomore Emily Deering won the event with a time of 4:41.18. Sophomore Madison Sury was behind her at 4:45.58, while senior Ellen Isaac, sophomore Alyssa Atkinson, and junior Christina Seas took the next three finishes.
Sophomores Erin Stewart and Gracie Huffman scored first and second place in the 400-meter dash. Stewart took the gold with a time of 59.40, and Huffman was the next one in at 59.79. And the Mayfield and Smith duo rounded out the day with second and third place finishes in the 100-meter dash. Mayfield ran a time of 12.91, while Smith followed closely behind at 13.20.
Freshmen Abby Miller and Emily Cass showcased their talent, taking the top two spots in the 5K run. Miller took first place with a time of 17:45.66 and Cass was second at 17:53.30. In the last event of the day, the 4×400 meter relay, the Ohio team of Deering, Huffman, Stewart and freshman Marissa Handel finished the Bobcat’s successful day with a first-place finish time of 4:05.89.
What’s next?
The ladies hope to continue their success next weekend when they travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the Hilltopper Relays.
