Sports

Ohio Finishes Third At Tom Wright Classic

Posted on: Saturday, January 25, 2014

< < Back to ohio-finishes-third-tom-wright-classic

After a two-week hiatus, the Ohio Bobcats track and field team enjoyed impressive individual performances in the Tom Wright Classic Friday evening at Bowling Green.
Ohio was led by four athletes in particular who earned places on the podium, which helped the ‘Cats in amassing 71 points. As a team, however, the Bobcats placed third of four teams at the event.

The four athletes placing for Ohio each earned a berth in the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships beginning Feb. 28. Thrower Donyelle Brown led the Bobcats in the weight throw with 17.83-meter throw, setting a school record in the process. The mark was more than a half-meter further than her previous high.

Senior Melissa Thompson added in a stellar performance of her own. Thompson marked a 4:46:96 mark in the 1-mile run, qualifying her for the MAC Championships. Thompson provided a duel threat, also racking up an eighth-place finish in the 800-meter run.

Rounding out the MAC Championship qualifiers was a pair of sophomores. Chanda Cuckler captured the high jump title, leaping 1.70-meters, which matched her personal best. Caroline Hildebrand put forth a career performance in the 5,000-meter run. Hildebrand now owns a new personal record, finishing second overall with a 17:33:48 mark.

“We had some outstanding MAC-qualifying performances from Melissa, Caroline, Chanda and Donyelle,” head coach Clay Calkins said. “I’m proud of their efforts today and look forward to them representing Ohio at the league meet.”

The Bobcats have wrapped up their January slate, and will have to wait until Feb. 7 until they see meet action. The Meyo Invitational will be the next challenge, a two-day event located in Notre Dame, Ind. The Ohio State University Open will provide a big test later in the month. The indoor season will wind down with the MAC Indoor Championships to end the month. 

Notables

Freshman sprinter Tajah Smith finished fourth in the 200m dash (27.20 seconds).

Kara Jackson placed fourth in the 400-meter dash (1:00.15).

Karissa Conrad finished fourth in the 600-meters (1:40:93).

Delaney Bolger earned a fifth-place finish in the 800-meter run (2:22:04).