April 9, 2005

Complete Results

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's track and field was wildly successful at the MSU Invitational, capturing first-place finishes in 16 events against Dayton, Lansing Community College, Oakland Community College and IPFW.

A pair of provisional qualifying marks including a school record highlighted the day for the Spartans. In the pole vault, Mickie Rzepka broke her own outdoor record by clearing 12-8, eclipsing her previous record of 12-7 1/2 set last year. In the javelin, Melinda Buckmaster had the third-best throw in school history with a distance of 151-4 to win that event by nearly 50 feet over her nearest competitor.

Cynetheia Rooks has been a consistent top performer for MSU, with today as no exception. Rooks captured first place in both the 100-meter dash, which she finised in 11.92, as well as in the 200-meter dash, with a time of 24.43. Paris Mandy took second place behind Rooks in both events, recording finishes of 12.26 and 25.27 in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, respectively.

MSU's presence was strong in multiple events. In the 400-meter dash, Marquita Allen claimed first place in 57.78. Allen also finished in third place in the 200-meter dash (26.49). In the 800-meter run, Aimee Keenan took first in 2:16.60, followed by Sarah Stornant, whose 2:21.83 performance was good for second place.

State earned the top six finishes in the 1,500-meter run, led by Nicole Bush's 4:34.55 performance. Brittany Ballard came in second in 4:39.80, while Katie Kelly's 4:41.48 ranked her third in the event.

In the 100-meter hurdles, Anna Coster was tops, finishing first for MSU in 15.15 seconds. Genevieve Gourlay`s 15.88 performance earned her second place.

State won the 4x400-meter relay in 4:04.30, followed by Dayton's 4:08.59 finish. The Spartans also claimed the 4x100-meter relay, finishing first in :46.28.

Danielle Linenger led MSU in the high jump, finishing first with a 5-5 performance. Allison Bzdok tied for second with her 5-1 showing. Taren James claimed first place in the triple jump, recording an even 40 feet, followed by Chaquerra Allen with 36-2 3/4. James also wowed spectators in the long jump, winning the event with a leap of 19-1 1/4.

In the discus throw, Michelle Rossio carried the Spartans with a throw of 136-8. Rossio also claimed the hammer throw title with her 160-0 performance.

Next, the Spartans head to Knoxville, Tenn., for the Sea Ray Relays on April 13-16, 2005.