RedHawks Finish Saturday's GVSU Big Meet

Saturday, February 9

Allendale, Mich.

All Day

Miami University

GVSU Big Meet

2/9/2019 7:56:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country

Saturday Results

Women put up great numbers across the board; Torpys put up national marks.

ALLENDALE, Mich. - Headlined by plenty of personal records and some top national marks, the Miami University track and field team finished Saturday at Grand Valley State's Big Meet.

The day started with recent Miami record-holder Olivia Bechtel putting on yet another outstanding performance, albeit in a bit of a less-familiar event. Running the 60m for the first time in her collegiate career, Bechtel ripped off a 7.76 mark in prelims to qualify for the finals, and then bested that time with a 7.74 to earn fifth in the event.

Another great mark came on the field side of the event, as Hannah Falcione reached a new personal best in the triple jump, recording a jump of 11.83m. This jump was enough to earn Falcione the overall win in the event.

Back on the track, the 800m saw the RedHawks put on a dominating group of runs and come away with some very strong results. Four Miami runners entered the 72-athlete field - Rachel Kotchman (2:14.79), Emma Bryant (2:15.98), McKenna Fry (2:15.72), and Emma Mashburn (2:15.89) - with all four earning top-seven places. In addition, Bryant, Fry, and Mashburn each set personal records. Kotchman set her PR during Friday's 800m run.

Another individual best came from Claire Linn in the mile, as she ran a 4:58.69 to pick up second in the 79-deep field; fellow RedHawk Bryant came just behind her in sixth. Faith Baxter set her own personal mark in the 400m, grabbing a top-ten spot with a 58.28 run.

The women's 4x400 team, coming off three-straight top-two finishes, was able keep things rolling as they won Saturday night's relay. Baxter, Sarah Bruns, Kalliopi Kountouri, and Emily Hooker combined for a 3:48.03 run.

In other field events, Sydney Jefferson set a personal record in the weight throw, tossing 15.94 meters en route to a top-ten finish.

Several Miami men's athletes also put up big-time numbers Saturday, notably Sean Torpy and Christopher Torpy with nationally-ranked runs in the 800m. Sean broke yet another school record in his run, just a week removed from topping Miami's all-time mile mark. His 1:48.91 time is the 15th-fastest recorded in the entire nation this season. Right behind him, Chris ran a 1:49.60, which is in itself the 29th-best run in the country. The brothers finished one-two in the 79-runner field. Also in the 800m, Mitchell Towne and Anthony Camerieri each finished in the top ten and set their own personal bests.

Elsewhere in men's events, Aaron Muresan won the 60m hurdles finals while Kenny Glenn did the same in the long jump.

Full results are attached above.

In next week's final tune-up before the Mid-American Conference Championships, the RedHawks will attend two meets with the Buckeye Tuneup Feb. 15 and Notre Dame's Alex Wilson Invitational Feb. 16.