Strong Performances Highlight Opening Day of MAC Track and Field Championships for Akron

Thursday, May 9

DeKalb, Ill.

11:00 AM ET

University of Akron

Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships

Strong Performances Highlight Opening Day of MAC Track and Field Championships for Akron

May 09 | Track & Field

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MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: THURSDAY RESULTS (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | BUY CHAMPIONSHIP GEAR | MAC MEET INFORMATION | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | LIVE STATS

DEKALB, Ill. – The University of Akron track and field team captured a pair of titles courtesy of redshirt junior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) and freshman Timothy Chesondin (Eldoret, Kenya) to highlight the Zips' performances on the opening day of the Mid-American Conference Track and Field Championships on Thursday (May 9).

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Garretson captured his seventh league title in the men's pole vault eclipsing 17-5 (5.31m), while redshirt senior Robert Artrip (Independence, Ohio) added team points placing fourth with a mark of 16-3.75 (4.96m).
• Chesondin earned his first MAC title besting the field in the men's 10,000 meters in a time of 29:38.65.
• Redshirt senior Jabari Neal-Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio), junior Lane Graham (Killbuck, Ohio) and redshirt junior Davis Hedrick (Norwalk, Ohio) contributed points in the men's hammer with marks of 204-2 (62.25m), 199-7 (60.84) and 182-10 (55.74m), respectively, to earn third- fourth- and fifth-place finishes.
• Artrip and redshirt junior Jacob Glavickas (Orwell, Ohio) netted points in the men's javelin with marks of 177-10 (54.20m) and 171-0 (52.14m) to place fifth and sixth.
• Redshirt sophomore Gabrielle Griffiths (Fort Worth, Texas) added points in the women's javelin with a mark of 127-6 (38.86m), while also finishing eighth in the women's hammer with a mark of 167-0 (50.92m).
• Freshman Mary Munga (Nyandarua, Kenya) posted a qualifying time in the women's 1,500 meters crossing the line in a career-best time of 4:26.50.
• Redshirt junior Jimmy Harkelroad (Huron, Ohio), sophomore Caden Dawson (Chardon, Ohio) and freshman Logan Thompson (Boardman, Ohio) advanced to the finals of the men's 400-meter hurdles crossing the line in 52.07, 54.63 and 53.93, respectively.
• Junior Adaeze Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) advanced to the finals of the women's 400-meter hurdles with a qualifying time of 23.67.
• Moving to the finals in the men's 200 meters with times of 20.93, 21.02 and 21.03, respectively, was sophomore Tysean Baronette (Middletown, Dela.) and freshmen AJ Jordan (Columbus, Ohio) and Andrew Styles (Freeport, Bahamas).
• Junior Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) moved into the finals of the 200 meters with a qualifying time of 23.67.
• Freshman Sharon Chepchirchir (Kapsabet, Kenya) earned points in the women's 10,000 meters in a time of 35:06.64.

UP NEXT
Competition at the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships continues Friday (May 10).

MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS:
1) Akron (38 points), 2), Kent State (36), 3) Eastern Michigan (21), 4) Buffalo (18), 5) Miami (11)

WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS:
1) Eastern Michigan (22 points), 2) Buffalo (21), 3) Toledo (20), 4) Kent State (19), 5) Ohio (12), 6) Bowling Green (10), 7) Akron (8), 8) Miami (5)

THURSDAY MEN'S FINAL RESULTS: Hammer: Jabari Neal-Jackson (3rd-204-2/62.25m), Lane Graham (4th-199-7/60.84m), Davis Hedrick (6th-182-10/55.74m*); Pole Vault: Hunter Garretson (1st-17-5/5.31m), Robert Artrip (4th-16-3.75/4.96m), Davis Patterson (NH); Javelin: Robert Artrip (5th-177-10/54.20m), Jacob Glavickas (6th-171-0/52.14m*)

THURSDAY WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS: Hammer: Gabrielle Griffiths (8th-167-0/50.92m), Victoria Kuol (9th-164-1/50.03m); Javelin: Gabrielle Griffiths (5th-127-6/38.86m)

THURSDAY MEN'S PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 400-Meter Hurdles: Jimmy Harkelroad (1st-52.07Q), Caden Dawson (4th-54.63Q*), Logan Thompson (5th-53.93q*); 200 Meters: Tysean Baronette (4th-20.93Q), AJ Jordan (7th-21.02q), Andrew Styles (8th-21.03q); 10,000 Meters: Timothy Chesondin (1st-29:38.65), Kyle Stober (9th-32:14.85*)

THURSDAY WOMEN'S PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 1,500 Meters: Mary Munga (1st-4:26.50Q*), Megan Hipple (17th-4:39.48), Lauren LaRue (19th-4:45.01); 400-Meter Hurdles: Adaeze Nwokike (3rd-61.83Q), Kayla Allen (16th-70.30); 200 Meters: Joy Nwokike (4th-23.67Q), Jamari Davis (10th-24.09*), Vanessa Horn (19th-24.69*); 10,000 Meters: Sharon Chepchirchir (6th-35:06.64), Danielle Honaker (16th-37:24.19), Kayla Sucharski (18th-37:32.72)

* denotes career-best time | denotes Automatic Qualifier | denotes qualifier