Zips Claim Eighth Women’s Outdoor MAC Track and Field Title

Saturday, May 12

Buffalo, N.Y.

University of Akron

Mid-American Conference Track and Field Championships

Akron Women's Outdoor Track 2018 MAC Champions - 5/12/18

Zips Claim Eighth Women’s Outdoor MAC Track and Field Title

May 12 | Track & Field

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MAC CHAMPIONSHIP: FINAL RESULTS (PDF) | FINAL RESULTS (HTML) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL AND MAC CHAMPIONS COMMENTS (SAT.) | FRIDAY RESULTS (PDF) | FRIDAY RESULTS (HTML) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL COMMENTS (FRI.) | JACKIE SIEFRING COMMENTS (FRI.) | JORDAN LATIMER COMMENTS (FRI.) | LUCY BRYAN COMMENTS (FRI.) | PHOTO GALLERY (FRI.) | THURSDAY RESULTS (PDF) | THURSDAY RESULTS (HTML) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL COMMENTS (THUR.) | PHOTO GALLERY (THUR.) | IAN BEHM COMMENTS (5/10) | MATT LUDWIG COMMENTS (5/10) | LIVE STATS | MAC PHOTO GALLERY (PAUL HOKANSON)

AMHERST, N.Y. – The University of Akron women's track and field team captured its second consecutive and eighth Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field title, while five different Zips earned league titles to headline the final day of the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 12.

On the women's side, the Zips garnered back-to-back titles and their eighth overall outdoor championship besting the field with 136.5 points. Akron outpaced second place Eastern Michigan (122), while Toledo (74), Central Michigan (69) and Kent State (67) rounded out the top-five team finishers.

In the men's race, the Zips placed second with 166 points, falling 18.5 points shy of edging Eastern Michigan for the team title. The Eagles won the field with 184.5 points, followed by Akron, Kent State (153), Central Michigan (115), Miami (111) and Buffalo (80.5).

In addition, the Zips picked up the final two points in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge to retain the title with a final 7.5-6.5 margin.

For his team's efforts, Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell was named the Women's Coach of the Year. Additionally, redshirt junior Jordan Latimer (Huber Heights, Ohio) was awarded the Outstanding Field Performer of the Meet after winning the men's long jump.

On the strength of a career-best time 11.51, senior Daziah Green (Canton, Ohio) earned her first-ever MAC title winning the women's 100 meters. Her time stands as the No. 2 mark in outdoor program history. She followed capturing the women's 200 meters with a winning time of 23.54. She edged out Kent State's Nicole Yeargin by one one-hundredths of a second.

Earning his third consecutive and third overall career MAC title in the men's high jump was junior Curtis Richardson (Blacklick, Ohio) with a winning jump of 6-11.50 (2.12m). Richardson cleared the mark on his first attempt and was the lone competitor to better the bar. Finishing tied for seventh with clearances of 6-5 (1.96m) was redshirt junior John Harris (Pickerington, Ohio) and junior Ben Olewiler (Shiloh, Ohio).

Claiming her third career MAC title and second in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a school and meet-record time of 13.10 was junior Dara Perry (Akron, Ohio). Turning in a fourth-place performance in the event with a time of 13.69 was senior Patricia Ortega (Logrono, Spain). Perry also took the title in the race as a freshman in 2016.

Junior Abigale Wilson (Carrollton, Ohio) won her second career title in the women's discus registering a winning mark of 176-0 (53.64m). Wilson also captured the event as a freshman in 2016. Placing eighth with a throw of 148-8 (45.31m) was junior Olivia Snyder (Navarre, Ohio).

Seniors Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla.) and Taron Slone (Columbus, Ohio) each registered career-best times of 10.29 and 10.47 to finish second and fourth in the men's 100 meters. Smith's effort is the fourth-fastest time in outdoor program history.

Senior Ariadna Ramos Gandia (Barcelona, Spain) took second in the women's triple jump soaring 41-1 (12.52m) to garnering All-MAC honors for the fifth time in her Akron career.

Redshirt junior Mackenzie Andrews (Toowoomba, Australia) placed third in the women's 1,500 meters posting a time of 4:21.40, while finishing fourth in the women's 800 meters with a time of 2:09.93.

Ortega and senior Jackie Siefring (Covington, Ohio) earned points in the women's high jump finishing fourth and eighth with identical jumps of 5-4.50 (1.64m).

In the women's 400-meter hurdles, Ortega, sophomore Iman Batiste (Dublin, Ohio) and Siefring finished third, sixth and eighth, respectively, with times of 60.35, 62.07 and 64.66. Siefring led the majority of the race and was on pace for her ninth career MAC title before getting caught up going over the final hurdle down the home stretch. Ortega's time is the fourth-fastest in outdoor program history.

Senior Maurice Harris (Toledo, Ohio) earned a third-place finish in the men's discus with a mark of 159-11 (48.74m).

The men's 4x100 relay squad of Smith, Slone and senior Jamir Coleman (Lima, Ohio) and freshman Tyler Grine (Fremont, Ohio) placed third with a season-best time of 40.57.

Placing fourth in the men's triple jump with a career-best mark of 48-1.25 (14.66m) was sophomore Marcques Gibbs (Darby, Pa.).

Picking up points in the men's 110-meter hurdle final with finishes of third, fifth and sixth, respectively, was redshirt freshmen Patrick Kimball (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Jace Roundtree (Vandergrift, Pa.) and redshirt sophomore Preston Fillman (Hanoverton, Ohio). The trio registered career-best times of 14.21, 14.36 and 14.40.

In the men's 200 meters, Slone placed third with a time of 21.02, while Coleman garnered a career-best time of 21.42.

Senior Nick Winkler (Wadsworth, Ohio) and freshman Steven Ashcraft (Canton, Ohio) recorded times of 1:55.03 and 1:55.76 to place sixth and seventh in the men's 800 meters.

Redshirt juniors Brandon Mitchell (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Adam Downing (Sylvania, Ohio) recorded times of 53.50 and 55.60 in the men's 400-meter hurdles to finish fourth and seventh.

The Zips return to competition traveling to Tampa, Fla., for the NCAA East Preliminary Round, May 24-26.

MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS (FINAL):
1) Eastern Michigan (184.5 points), 2) Akron (166), 3), Kent State (153), 4) Central Michigan (115), 5) Miami (111), 6), Buffalo (80.5)

WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS (FINAL):
1) Akron (136.5 points), 2) Eastern Michigan (122), 3) Toledo (74), 4) Central Michigan (69), 5) Kent State (67), 6), Western Michigan (64), 7) Bowling Green (58), Northern Illinois (58), and Miami (58), 10) Ball State (49.5), 11) Buffalo (34), 12) Ohio (29)

MEN'S SATURDAY FINALS:
Triple Jump: Marcques Gibbs (4th-48-1.25/14.66m*); 4x100 Relay: Kwadarrius Smith, Taron Slone, Jamir Coleman, Tyler Grine (3rd-40.57); 1,500 Meters: Garrett Crichlow (DNF); 110-Meter Hurdles: Patrick Kimball (3rd-14.21*), Jace Roundtree (5th-14.36*), Preston Fillman (6th-14.40*); 100 Meters: Kwadarrius Smith (2nd-10.29*), Taron Slone (4th-10.47*); Discus: Maurice Harris (3rd-159-11/48.74m); 800 Meters: Nick Winkler (6th-1:55.03), Steven Ashcraft (7th-1:55.76); High Jump: Curtis Richardson (1st-6-11.50/2.12m), Ben Olewiler (7th-6-5/1.96m), John Harris (7th-6-5/1.96m); 400-Meter Hurdles: Brandon Mitchell (4th-53.50), Adam Downing (7th-55.60); 200 Meters: Taron Slone (3rd-21.02), Jamir Coleman (8th-21.42*); 5,000 Meters: Tevin Brown (13th-15:07.19); 4x400 Relay: Jamir Coleman, Brandon Mitchell, Taron Slone, Steven Ashcraft (6th-3:17.72)

WOMEN'S SATURDAY FINALS:
High Jump: Patricia Ortega (4th-5-4.50/1.64m), Jackie Siefring (8th-5-4.50/1.64m); Discus: Abigale Wilson (1st-176-0/53.64m), Olivia Snyder (8th-148-8/45.31m), Kayla Barreca (11th-145-11/44.49m); Triple Jump: Ariadna Ramos Gandia (2nd-41-1/12.52m), Tanea Cousins (12th-37-6/11.43m); 4x100 Relay: Ariadna Ramos Gandia, Daziah Green, Stephanie Hale, Dara Perry (DQ); 1,500 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (3rd-4:21.40), Haley Hess (9th-4:32.78*); 100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (1st-13.10*), Patricia Ortega (4th-13.69); 100 Meters: Daziah Green (1st-11.51*); 800 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (4th-2:09.93); 400-Meter Hurdles: Patricia Ortega (3rd-60.35*), Iman Batiste (6th-62.07), Jackie Siefring (8th-64.66); 200 Meters: Daziah Green (1st-23.54); 4x400 Relay: Bailey Lack, Daziah Green, Victoria Stachowski, Iman Batiste (9th-3:47.19)

MEN'S FRIDAY FINALS:
Long Jump: Jordan Latimer (1st-26-0.75/7.94m*), Terrell McClain (2nd-25-8.75/7.84m) Jamir Coleman (5th-23-9.50/7.25m); Shot Put: Maurice Harris (7th-52-6.50/16.01m)

WOMEN'S FRIDAY FINALS:
Long Jump: Jackie Siefring (3rd-19-9/6.02m), Ariadna Ramos Gandia (14th-18-1.75/5.53m); Shot Put: Abigale Wilson (2nd-52-6/16.00m*), Olivia Snyder (8th-46-3.75/14.19m); Pole Vault: Lucy Bryan (1st-14-2/4.32m), Eboni Hall (3rd-13-6.25/4.12m), Jenna Frantz (4th-13.6.25/4.12m); 3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Elizabeth Mosier (6th-10:48.79), Whitney Wendling (16th-11:46.63*)

MEN'S FRIDAY PRELIMINARIES:
110-Meter Hurdles: Patrick Kimball (4th-14.37*), Jace Roundtree (5th-14.41), Preston Fillman (8th-14.54*); 100 Meters: Kwadarrius Smith (4th-10.56), Taron Slone (6th-10.59), Matt Blamble (15th-10.95*); 800 Meters: Nick Winkler (2nd-1:53.01), Steven Ashcraft (4th-1:53.26)

WOMEN'S FRIDAY PRELIMINARIES:
100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (2nd-13.78), Patricia Ortega (4th-13.88); 400 Meters: Bailey Lack (16th-57.29); 100 Meters: Daziah Green (1st-11.69), Stephanie Hale (10th-11.93); 800: Mackenzie Andrews (1st-2:10.82), Victoria Stachowski (10th-2:14.18), Leah Recker (12th-2:14.55*)

MEN'S DECATHLON:
Malik Hudson (2nd-6,723*), Brandon Hochbein (3rd-6,576*), Kamar Majid (4th-6,444); 100 Meters: Malik Hudson (2nd-11.05), Kamar Majid (4th-11.39), Brandon Hochbein (5th-11.47*); Long Jump: Malik Hudson (2nd-22-9/6.93m*), Brandon Hochbein (4th-21-6.25/6.56m*), Kamar Majid (5th-21-2.50/6.46m); Shot Put: Malik Hudson (4th-40-2.75/12.26m*), Kamar Majid (6th-38-4.25/11.69m*), Brandon Hochbein (9th-34-9.75/10.61m*); High Jump: Malik Hudson (5th-6-0.75/1.85m), Brandon Hochbein (6th-6-0.75/1.85m*), Kamar Majid (8th-5-11.50/1.82m); 400 Meters: Malik Hudson (2nd-49.77), Brandon Hochbein (3rd-50.82*), Kamar Majid (4th-51.72); 110-Meter Hurdles: Brandon Hochbein (3rd-15.13), Kamar Majid (4th-15.22*), Malik Hudson (5th-15.40*); Discus: Kamar Majid (4th-108-5/33.05m), Brandon Hochbein (6th-103-6/31.56m*), Malik Hudson (7th-103-1/31.43m); Pole Vault: Kamar Majid (1st-14-5.25/4.40m), Brandon Hochbein (2nd-13-5.25/4.10m*), Malik Hudson (5th-13-1.50/4.00m*); Javelin: Malik Hudson (1st-154-4/47.04m*), Brandon Hochbein (2nd-154-2/47.01m), Kamar Majid (5th-148-6/45.27m); 1,500 Meters: Brandon Hochbein (4th-4:49.90*), Malik Hudson (7th-5:10.22), Kamar Majid (10th-5:27.25)

WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON:
Jackie Siefring (1st-5,688), Patricia Ortega (2nd-5,285); 100-Meter Hurdles: Patricia Ortega (1st-13.52*), Jackie Siefring (2nd-13.74*); High Jump: Patricia Ortega (1st-5-8.50/1.74m), Jackie Siefring (2nd-5-5/1.65m); Shot Put: Jackie Siefring (3rd-41-7/12.67m*), Patricia Ortega (5th-36-4.25/11.08m); 200 Meters: Jackie Siefring (1st-24.43*), Patricia Ortega (2nd-24.66*); Long Jump: Jackie Siefring (1st-19-9/6.02m), Patricia Ortega (2nd-17-10.25/5.44m); Javelin: Jackie Siefring (3rd-116-10/35.62m), Patricia Ortega (7th-99-7/30.36m); 800 Meters: Jackie Siefring (1st-2:22.25), Patricia Ortega (5th-2:33.40)

MEN'S THURSDAY FINALS:
Hammer: Maurice Harris (3rd-174-0/53.05m); Pole Vault: Matt Ludwig (1st-18-0.50/5.50m), Cole Wigal (2nd-16-7.50/5.07m*), Tyler Fraker (5th-16-3.50/4.97m); Javelin: Ian Behm (1st-228-9/69.73m), Rodrigo Iglesias (2nd-220-7/67.23m), Brandon Hochbein (9th-153-3/46.73m); 10,000 Meters: Tevin Brown (13th-32:02.79)

WOMEN'S THURSDAY FINALS:
Hammer: Emily Taylor (13th-158-7/48.35m); 10,000 Meters: Ashley Murray (14th-37:05.56*)

MEN'S THURSDAY PRELIMINARIES:
400-Meter Hurdles: Brandon Mitchell (2nd-53.33*), Adam Downing (5th-54.71), Dylan Hochbein (DQ); 200 Meters: Taron Slone (3rd-21.17), Jamir Coleman (6th-21.32*), Matt Blamble (12th-21.64*)

WOMEN'S THURSDAY PRELIMINARIES:
1,500 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (1st-4:34.28), Haley Hess (4th-4:35.95), Lindsey Scarton (16th-4:48.03); 400-Meter Hurdles: Jackie Siefring (2nd-60.03), Patricia Ortega (4th-60.72), Iman Batiste (9th-61.69); 200 Meters: Daziah Green (1st-23.52), Stephanie Hale (13th-24.35), Dara Perry (19th-24.67)