Zips Capture Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field MAC Titles

Saturday, May 11

Muncie, Ind.

University of Akron

Mid-American Conference Championships

Zips Capture Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field MAC Titles

May 11 | Track & Field

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MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: FINAL RESULTS (PDF) | FRIDAY RESULTS (PDF) | THURSDAY RESULTS (PDF) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL COMMENTS (5/11) | MACKENZIE ANDREWS COMMENTS (5/11) | PATRICK KIMBALL COMMENTS (5/11) | DARA PERRY COMMENTS (5/11) | COLE WIGAL COMMENTS (5/11) | NOAH WILLIAMS COMMENTS (5/11) | ABIGALE WILSON COMMENTS (5/11) | MEN'S 4x400 RELAY COMMENTS (5/11) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELLL COMMENTS (5/10) | SARA FOSTER COMMENTS (5/10) | JORDAN LATIMER COMMENTS (5/10) | MACKENZIE ANDREWS COMMENTS (5/10) | HEAD COACH DENNIS MITCHELL COMMENTS (5/9) | TEVIN BROWN COMMENTS (5/9) | LUCY BRYAN COMMENTS (5/9) | IAN BEHM COMMENTS (5/9) | SATURDAY PHOTO GALLERY | FRIDAY PHOTO GALLERY | THURSDAY PHOTO GALLERY | CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | MEET SCHEDULE (PDF) | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

MUNCIE, Ind. – The University of Akron men's and women's track and field teams swept the team titles on the final day of the of the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Ball State on Saturday, May 11.

The Zips' women's squad won back-to-back-to-back titles and their ninth overall outdoor championship with 120 points after capturing the crown in 2017 and 2018. Akron bested Central Michigan by 2.5 points for the title.

In the men's race, the Zips won their eighth outdoor league championship with 199 points for a 19-point victory over Eastern Michigan.

For his teams' efforts, Akron head coach Dennis Mitchell was named the MAC Men's and Women's Coach of the Year.

In addition to a pair of MAC Championships, the Zips competed against Kent State in the final standings for the last two points of the 2018-19 year in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge. With its victories on the day, Akron won the award for the 2018-19 year with a 7.5-6.5 edge in the overall standings.

The Zips garnered a trio of individual honors as redshirt freshman Noah Williams (Hilton, N.Y.) and freshmen Sara Foster (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) and Demetrius Jackson (Beachwood, Ohio) were named the Men's Most Outstanding Men's Track Co-Performer of the Meet, Women's Track Freshman of the Year and Men's Track Freshman of the Year, respectively.

Senior Mackenzie Andrews (Toowoomba, Australia) won her fifth overall and fourth individual MAC title taking down the competition in the women's 1,500 meters in a time of 4:27.51 to pull in the championship in the event for the eighth time in program history. Sophomore Lindsey Scarton (Berea, Ohio) placed sixth in the race in a time of 4:35.02.

Senior Dara Perry (Akron, Ohio) took home her fourth overall career MAC championship and third in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.55 to edge the second- and third-place competitors by five one-hundredths of a second. Freshman Victoria Abunaw (Maumee) finished fifth in a career-best time of 13.77.

Senior Abigale Wilson (Carrollton, Ohio) garnered her second consecutive and third overall league title to win the women's discus registering a season-best mark of 180-8 (55.08m). Senior Olivia Snyder (Navarre, Ohio) earned a team point in the event placing eighth with a career-best mark of 157-0 (47.85m).

Redshirt junior Cole Wigal (Belpre, Ohio) extended Akron's run of dominance in the men's pole vault capturing the Zips' 24th consecutive title (indoor and outdoor) in the event with a career-best clearance of 17-0.75 (5.20m). The title was the first career championship for Wigal, who edged senior teammate Matt Ludwig (Chardon, Ohio) on jumps, while junior Matt Keim (Bolivar, Ohio) finished seventh with a mark of 15-7.25 (4.76m).

The five-time defending league champion and six-time All-America honoree in the men's pole vault, Ludwig entered the week uncertain on his status for the championships after injuring himself on his final jump at the Campbell/Wright Invitational on May 4. Jumping into the competition at 15-7.25 (4.76m), Ludwig needed all three attempts to clear the height. Displaying his championship pedigree, Ludwig bested the next two bars of 16-1.25 (4.91m) and 16-7.25 (5.06m) on his second run at each height.

Wigal cleared 15-7.25 (4.76m) on his initial attempt, while also needing two attempts to better 16-1.25 (4.91m) and 16-7.25 (5.06m).

Wigal was the first to eclipse 17-0.75 (5.20m) on his third and final attempt, before Ludwig also bested the height on his last run at the bar. Neither vaulter cleared 17-4.50 (5.30m) with Wigal earning the triumph based on jumps.

The men's 4x100 relay squad of freshman Malcom Briley (Pickerington, Ohio), Williams, freshman Amir Willis (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jackson began the victory total for the Zips on the day crossing the line in season-best time of 40.39 to win the league crown in the event for the seventh time.

Williams pulled in his second title of the day claiming the triumph in the men's 400 meters in a school-record time of 45.72, the 13th-fastest performance in the NCAA this season. Freshman Zach Robinson (Pickerington, Ohio) earned team points in the event placing eighth in 49.64.

The Zips completed the sweep of the men's relays taking home the title in the men's 4x400 relay for only the second time in outdoor program history as the quartet of redshirt freshman Garrett White (Cleveland Heights, Ohio), Robinson, freshman Sam Janson (Dayton, Ohio) and Williams registered a come-from-behind victory in a season-best time of 3:12.00.

Redshirt sophomore Patrick Kimball (Pittsburgh, Pa.) earned his second career league crown winning the men's 110-meter hurdles in a career-best and second-fastest time in program history with a time of 13.96. Redshirt sophomore Jace Roundtree (Vandergrift, Pa.) placed fourth in a career-best time of 14.26.

A strong surge at the finish line in a time of 3:55.20 produced second-team All-MAC honors in the men's 1,500 meters for redshirt sophomore Marc Migliozzi (Pittsburgh, Pa.), while sophomore Andre Bollam-Godbott (Brunswick, Ohio) placed sixth in a time of 3:59.60.

Senior Curtis Richardson (Blacklick, Ohio), freshman Nuh Andu (Doha, Qatar) and senior Ben Olewiler (Shiloh, Ohio) picked up key points in the men's high jump placing second, third and fifth, respectively, with clearances of 6-9.50 (2.07m), 6-9.50 (2.07m) and 6-7.75 (2.03m).

The Zips posted second- and third-place efforts in the men's 100 meters as Jackson and Briley crossed the line in career-best times of 10.49 and 10.58, respectively.

Redshirt junior Maike Anstett (Karlsruhe, Germany) registered a career-best mark of 5-7.25 (1.71m) to finish third in the women's high jump, following and eighth-place performance in the women's triple jump with a mark of 38-6 (11.73m).

White and junior Dylan Hochbein (Sarver, Pa.) crossed the line in third and fourth in the men's 400-meter hurdles in career-best times of 53.27 and 53.42.

On the strength of a career-best time of 59.69, the fourth-fastest effort in outdoor program history, Foster finished third in the women's 400-meter hurdles. Junior Dimitra Gnafaki (Chania, Greece) contributed a team point in the race placing eighth in a time of 62.10.

Jackson, Willis and Briley earned third-, sixth- and seventh-place efforts in the men's 200 meters with times of 21.12, 21.59 and 21.85. Jackson and Briley's performances stand as career-best times.

Redshirt sophomore Hesham Eldesouky (Nasr City, Egypt) and junior Marcques Gibbs (Darby, Pa.) placed fourth and sixth in the men's triple jump posting marks of 49-7 (15.11m) and 47-2.25 (14.38m).

Redshirt junior Tevin Brown (Toledo, Ohio) placed fifth in the men's 5,000 meters crossing the line in 15:04.63 to seal the Zips' team title in the men's team competition.

The Zips return to competition traveling to Jacksonville, Fla., for the NCAA East Preliminary Round, May 23-25.

MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS:
1) Akron (199 points), 2) Eastern Michigan (180), 3) Miami (139), 4) Kent State (124), 5), Central Michigan (92), 6) Buffalo (76)

WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS:
1) Akron (120 points), 2) Central Michigan (117.5), 3) Eastern Michigan (77), 4) Kent State (75.5), 5) Northern Illinois (71), 6) Miami (70), 8) Western Michigan (63.5), 9) Ball State (57), 10) Toledo (49), 11) Ohio (27), 12) Buffalo (22.5)

SATURDAY MEN'S FINALS:
4x100 Relay: Malcom Briley, Noah Williams, Amir Willis, Demetrius Jackson (1st-40.39); 1,500 Meters: Marc Migliozzi (2nd-3:55.20), Andre Bollam-Godbott (6th-3:59.60); 110-Meter Hurdles: Patrick Kimball (1st-13.96), Jace Roundtree (4th-14.26); 400 Meters: Noah Williams (1st-45.72), Zach Robinson (8th-49.64); 100 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (2nd-10.49*), Malcom Briley (3rd-10.58*); 400-Meter Hurdles: Garrett White (3rd-53.27), Dylan Hochbein (4th-53.42); 200 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (3rd-21.12*), Amir Willis (6th-21.59), Malcom Briley (7th-21.85*); 5,000 Meters: Tevin Brown (5th-15:04.63), Marc Migliozzi (10th-15:18.53), Andre Bollam-Godbott (DNF); 4x400 Relay: Garrett White, Zach Robinson, Sam Janson, Noah Williams (1st-3:12.00); High Jump: Curtis Richardson (2nd-6-9.50/2.07m), Nuh Andu (3rd-6-9.50/2.07m), Ben Olewiler (5th-6-7.75/2.03m); Pole Vault: Cole Wigal (1st-17-0.75/5.20m*), Matt Ludwig (2nd-17-0.75/5.20m), Matt Keim (7th-15-7.25/4.76m); Triple Jump: Hesham Eldesouky (4th-49-7/15.11m), Marcques Gibbs (6th-47-2.25/14.38m)

SATURDAY WOMEN'S FINALS:
1,500 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (1st-4:27.51), Lindsey Scarton (6th-4:35.02), Leah Recker (12th-4:49.28); 100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (1st-13.55), Victoria Abunaw (5th-13.77*); 400-Meter Hurdles: Sara Foster (3rd-59.69*), Dimitra Gnafaki (8th-62.10); 5,000 Meters: Lindsey Scarton (15th-17:34.23); 4x400 Relay: Bailey Lack, Iman Batiste, Dimitra Gnafaki, Sara Foster (9th-3:48.73); Triple Jump: Maike Anstett (8th-38-6/11.73m), Tanea Cousins (12th-36-9/11.20m), Zoi Balamouti (NM); Discus: Abigale Wilson (1st-180-8/55.08m), Olivia Snyder (8th-157-0/47.85m*); High Jump: Maike Anstett (3rd-5-7.25/1.71m), Carlyn Zahner (12th-5-1.25/1.56m)

FRIDAY MEN'S FINALS:
Hammer: Jacob Hutcherson (10th-155-4/47.34m), Milton Wilson (13th-130-6/39.77m); Shot Put: Jacob Hutcherson (12th-45-8/13.92m); Long Jump: Jordan Latimer (1st-25-7.50/7.81m), Hesham Eldesouky (5th-24-1.50/7.35m*), Bobby Casey (9th-23-1.75/7.05m*); 3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Nick Stricklen (4th-9:06.01*)

FRIDAY WOMEN'S FINALS:
Shot Put: Abigale Wilson (2nd-51-6.25/15.70m), Olivia Snyder (6th-49-9.25/15.17m); 3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Mackenzie Andrews (1st-10:26.74), Haley Hess (2nd-10:31.05*)

FRIDAY MEN'S PRELIMINARIES:
400 Meters: Noah Williams (1st-46.29*), Zach Robinson (8th-49.02), Sam Janson (12th-49.50); 100 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (4th-10.71), Malcom Briley (6th-10.72), Amir Willis (DQ)

FRIDAY WOMEN'S PRELIMINARIES:
100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (1st-13.50), Victoria Abunaw (7th-13.92), Jasmyn Allen (13th-14.36*); 400 Meters: Bailey Lack (16th-57.72); 800 Meters: Lizzy Gurko (11th-2:15.01*), Leah Recker (12th-2:15.66)

MEN'S DECATHLON:
Brandon Hochbein (2nd-6,771*), Kamar Majid (3rd-6,760), Malik Hudson (8th-5,979); 100 Meters: Kamar Majid (2nd-11:11*), Malik Hudson (4th-11:20), Brandon Hochbein (7th-11:38*); Long Jump: Kamar Majid (2nd-22-2.50/6.77m), Brandon Hochbein (4th-21-11/6.68m), Malik Hudson (7th-21-6.75/6.57m); Shot Put: Malik Hudson (4th-40-11.75/12.49m*), Kamar Majid (7th-37-0.50/11.29m), Brandon Hochbein (9th-34-0.75/10.38m); High Jump: Brandon Hochbein (3rd-6-4/1.93m*), Malik Hudson (4th-6-2.75/1.90m), Kamar Majid (5th-6-2.75/1.90m): 400 Meters: Malik Hudson (2nd-49.96), Brandon Hochbein (3rd-51.19), Kamar Majid (8th-52.93); 110-Meter Hurdles: Brandon Hochbein (3rd-15.05*), Kamar Majid (5th-15.16), Malik Hudson (7th-15.86); Discus: Kamar Majid (3rd-128-10/39.28m), Brandon Hochbein (6th-115-11/35.09m*), Malik Hudson (7th-107-7/32.79m); Pole Vault: Brandon Hochbein (4th-14-1.25/4.30m), Kamar Majid (5th-13-5.25/4.10m), Malik Hudson (NH); Javelin: Kamar Majid (1st-167-2/50.96m), Brandon Hochbein (3rd-163-1/49.70m), Malik Hudson (7th-155-9/47.48m); 1,500 Meters: Brandon Hochbein (4th-5:01.47), Kamar Majid (6th-5:15.37), Malik Hudson (8th-5:17.50)

WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON:
Sara Foster (1st-4,808*); 100-Meter Hurdles: Sara Foster (5th-14.69*); High Jump: Sara Foster (5th-5-3/1.60m*); Shot Put: Sara Foster (7th-32.8.50/9.97m*); 200 Meters: Sara Foster (1st-25.69*); Long Jump: Sara Foster (5th-17-6.25/5.34m); Javelin: Sara Foster (9th-81-2/24.73m); 800 Meters: Sara Foster (2nd-2:21.20*)

THURSDAY MEN'S FINALS:
10,000 Meters: Tevin Brown (1st-31:20.78); Javelin: Ian Behm (1st-224-0/68.27m), Bobby Casey (7th-176-7/53.82m), Brandon Hochbein (10th-154-4/47.05m)

THURSDAY WOMEN'S FINALS:
10,000 Meters: Ashley Murray (18th-38:35.58); Hammer: Emily Taylor (6th-174-11/53.31m*), Shawnn Foster (14th-159-7/48.64m), Olivia Snyder (19th-148-8/45.31m); Pole Vault: Lucy Bryan (1st-13-9.25/4.20m), Abby Helminiak (2nd-12-8.25/3.87m), Eboni Hall (5th-12-2.50/3.72m); Javelin: Laurel Bristow (5th-139-8/42.58m), Trinity Clark (15th-104-2/31.74m)

THURSDAY MEN'S PRELIMINARIES:
400-Meter Hurdles: Dylan Hochbein (5th-54.73), Garrett White (6th-54.73); 200 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (7th-21.58*), Amir Willis (8th-21.60), Malcom Briley (9th-21.81*)

THURSDAY WOMEN'S PRELIMINARIES:
1,500 Meters: Mackenzie Andrews (2nd-4:40.47), Leah Recker (4th-4:41.76), Lindsey Scarton (7th-4:43.77); 400-Meter Hurdles: Dimitra Gnafaki (7th-62.30), Sara Foster (12th-63.27), Iman Batiste (13th-63.80)

* denotes career-best mark