The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Mt. SAC Relays/Jesse Owens Classic
Track Completes Busy Weekend Of Competition
April 19 | Track & Field
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AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron pole vaulters Shawn Barber and Annika Roloff were the top collegiate finishers in the elite invitational division at the Mt. SAC Relays Saturday night in Walnut, Calif.
Barber, who became the school's first male individual national champion by winning the pole vault at the NCAA Indoor Championships last month, jumped a height of 18-04.50, which was second only to Japan's Daichi Sawano. Sawano, who won gold at the 2011 Asian Championships, cleared a height of 18-08.25 to take the event title.
Roloff, who entered the competition ranked No. 6 in the NCAA, achieved a jump of 13-11.25, which matched the top marks of professionals Tori Pena and Melinda Withrow. Greek pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi edged out 2011 USA Outdoor Champion Kylie Hutson to win the event after each cleared 14-11.00.
Competing in the women's triple jump, freshman Weronika Gaudyn improved on her personal best with a mark of 40-05.50. The jump is third-best on the Zips' all-time performers' list.
The impressive marks by Barber, Gaudyn and Roloff highlighted another busy day of competition for the Zips track and field program, which had athletes competing in three meets in two states.
One day after beating former World Youth Champion Johan Rogestedt of Sweden to win the 1,500-meters, Clayton Murphy ran the fourth-fastest time in school history for the 800-meters at the Beach Invitational in Norwalk, Calif. Murphy placed third overall with a time of 1:50.03.
Brent Gray was UA's second event winner at the Beach Invitational. Gray took the title in the men's 400-meters with a time of 47.22. His mark is third-fastest in school history. It was also a big day for freshman Daziah Green, who placed runner-up in the women's 200-meters (23.90) and took third in the 400-meters (55.87).
Brittany Funk's event win the women's hammer throw was a bright spot for the women's team at the Jesse Owens Classic, hosted by Ohio State University in Columbus. Funk, who entered the weekend ranked No. 2 in the nation, recorded a top toss of 209-09, which was nearly six feet better than runner-up Cynthia Watt (203-11) of Ashland.
Other notable performances from Columbus include a pair of fourth-place finishes by Daniella Johnson in the women's long jump (18-07.75) and Mike Ohiembor in the men's 400-meters (48.11).
RESULTS – MT. SAC RELAYS
April 19, 2014 | Mt. SAC | Hilmer Lodge Stadium | Walnut, Calif.
MEN'S RESULTS
Pole Vault: 2. Shawn Barber, 18-04.50.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Pole Vault: 5. Annika Roloff, 13-11.25; Triple Jump: 8. Weronika Gaudyn, 40-05.50.
RESULTS – BEACH INVITATIONAL
April 19, 2014 | Cerritos College | Norwalk, Calif.
MEN'S RESULTS
400m: 1. Brent Gray, 47.22; 400m (o): 14. Nick Owens, 48.91; 800m: 3. Clayton Murphy, 1:50.03, 8. Jake Hiltner, 1:55.85; 400m Hurdles: 3. Sean Weems, 53.14; Pole Vault: 3. Matt Rowland, 16-00.00, 7. Shawn Light, 16-00.00; Long Jump: 15. Daryl Baptiste, 22-05.25; Triple Jump: 6. Miles Coats, 48-00.00.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
100m: 6. Rachel Christian, 11.98; 200m: 2. Daziah Green, 23.90, 5. Rachel Christian, 24.23; 400m: 3. Daziah Green, 55.87; 400m (o): 11. Desiree Garland, 56.25; Pole Vault: 7. Ariane Beaumont-Courteau, 12-06.00 Long Jump: 11. Ana Martin-Sacristan, 18-04.50.
RESULTS – JESSE OWENS CLASSIC
April 19, 2014 | Ohio State University | Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium | Columbus, Ohio
MEN'S RESULTS
100m: 10. DJ Williamson, 10.81, 22. Keith Yohman, 10.97; 200m: 36. Keith Yohman, 22.44; 400m: 4. Mike Ohiembor, 48.11, 19. Alante Oliver, 49.78; 800m: 9. Sean Poholski, 1:53.78; 4x100 Relay: 10. Akron (Julius Ruby, DJ Williamson, Keith Yohman, Alante Oliver), 42.58; 400m Hurdles: 25. De'Waylan Letlow, 58.20; Long Jump: 5. Darien Spann, 22-08.00, 13. Keith Yohman, 21-08.25; Hammer: 25. Zach Shull, 177-10.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
100m: 21. Daniella Johnson, 12.32; 400m: 11. Shauniece Steele, 57.55; 400m Hurdles: 12. Michalla Gordon, 63.33; Long Jump: 4. Daniella Johnson, 18-07.75; Hammer: 1. Brittany Funk, 209-09, 14. Emily Suciu, 167-03.
