'Hawks Net Three Victories at BGSU Opener

Friday, December 8

Bowling Green, Ohio

All Day

Miami University

BGSU Opener

12/8/2017 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country

Dec. 8, 2017

BGSU Opener Results

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Miami University track & field picked up three victories in their first meet of the 2017-18 indoor season Friday. The BGSU Opener was a small meet that included just two other schools - Eastern Michigan and host Bowling Green.

One of the two RedHawks to pick up an individual win over the weekend was sophomore Rachel Kotchman. Running for the first time since early in the cross country season, she turned in a 2:17.88 to place first in the 800m ahead of two Falcon runners. She was just under two seconds short of the PR she set in the event last outdoor season. The finish marks her first collegiate win in an individual event.

Sophomore @kotchman_rachel picks up her first college victory in an individual event with a first-place finish in the 800m! Her time was 2:17.88.#RiseUpRedHawks
- Miami Track & Field and Cross Country (@MiamiOH_XCTF) December 8, 2017

The other 'Hawk to walk away an individual winner was sprinter Kalliopi Kountouri. The junior turned in a 1:37.57 in her first time running the 600m. It is just the second career individual win for Kalliopi, who has tasted shared victory seven times as a member of Miami's dominant 4x400m squad.

In her first time racing the 600m, @kalliopi400M records a 1:37.57 to win it! #RiseUpRedHawks
- Miami Track & Field and Cross Country (@MiamiOH_XCTF) December 8, 2017

The third Miami win came from the 4x400m squad consisting of Sarah Bruns, Emily Hooker, Zoe Hunt, and Gabby Maslowski. They turned in a 3:57.63 - edging out Bowling Green's A team by just one-tenth of a second.

Our third and final win of the evening comes from the legs of Sarah Bruns, Emily Hooker, Zoe Hunt, and Gabby Maslowski!

They finished with a 3:57.63 - edging out BGSU by just one-tenth of a second. #RiseUpRedHawks
- Miami Track & Field and Cross Country (@MiamiOH_XCTF) December 9, 2017

Miami had several student-athletes get their first taste of college track & field Friday. Elise Walker, competing in the high jump, cleared up to 4-11 but could not quite get the next level of 5-1. Lexi Addington, a pole vaulter, cleared 10-0 in two tries. She faulted twice on 10-6, but secured the mark on her final try.

The new-look throws group had two compete in the shot put. Jannie Kamara scored 33-1 and Grace Nelson followed closely a 32-10.25. The third throws freshman was Livie Smelcer, who marked a 40-8 in the weight throw.

Three freshmen also competed in the 300m. Zoe Hunt placed eight with a 42.20. Closely behind her was freshman Sarah Bruns, who took ninth in the second of three events for her with a 42.44. Placing 11th was Mallory Harr, who turned in a 44.74. Pacing these newcomers was sophomore Olivia Bechtel, whose PR 40.33 netted her second place.

Bruns and Harr also ran in the 60m hurdles. They both qualified for the finals, while fellow freshman Layah Busbee just missed the cut with a ninth-place 9.67. While Harr did not start the finals, Bruns did, and turned in a 9.81 that earned her fifth.

The Red & White are off until after the turn of the new year. They will be back in action Jan. 12-13 at the Kentucky Relays.