Huskies break relay record at invite

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

ALLENDALE, Mich. – High winds, snow and a frozen track forced the Al Owens Track and Field Invite to be moved indoors Saturday (April 20).

“I am proud of the way the team has dealt with all the adversity and change that they have faced this season due to the weather,” said head coach Joe Haggenmiller. “They continue to stay positive and work hard. This is important as we approach the GLIAC Championships.”

The change did not damper the team’s spirits as the women set a new 4×400-meter record in the process. The team of Melanie Hoffman, Dani Brzezinski, Deedra Irwin and Amanda Hallonen finished seventh in a time of 4:09.92. The previous record of 4:10.81 was set in 1983.

Earlier in the day, Melanie Hoffman ran the second-fastest time in the 400 to finish fourth in 59.39. Teammate Dani Brzezinski finished seventh with the sixth-fastest time in school history (60.28).

The men’s team won two events on the day. Jevon Maddox picked up the win in the triple jump with the third-best leap in program history at 46-4.25. Quinn Parnell won the 60-meter dash (6.92) and was edged out in the 200 to finish second in 22.09.

The Huskies posted a number of strong performances in the distance events. Amanda Halonen ran a personal-best and the third fastest time in school history to finish fifth in the 5,000-meter (18:24.76). Jonathan Kilpela pushed the pace of the men’s 5,000-meter to finish second with a personal-best and the fourth fastest time in school history at 15:12.34.

Jani Lane finished second in the 800 with the ninth-best mark in school history at 1:53.13. Deedra Irwin ran the 10th-best time in school history to finish 13th in the women’s 800 in 2:20.81. She also finished ninth in the 1,500 in 4:48.76.

Nick Wimmer came from behind to win his heat and finish 14th overall in the 1,500 in
3:59.69. Teammate Karl Koivisto was 17th overall (4:00.06). The two times rank sixth and seventh in school history.

The throwers, who were forced to battle the elements, posted six top-10 finishes. Natalie Berryman finished second in the javelin (105-00) and sixth in the discus (124-1). Steve Saliga finished third in the javelin (148-00), and Jared Berryman was fifth in the shot put (47-0.75). Ethan Miltenberger finished eighth in the discus (142-9), and Jacob Wood was
ninth (141-7).

Other top-10 finishes on the day included: Wes Jacobson eighth in the 300-meter hurdles (41.93), Pat Spalding eighth in the pole vault (13-1), Jevon Maddox ninth in the long jump (20-10.5) and Nate Hood 10th in the long jump (20-7). The men’s 4×400 relay of Karl Koivisto, Allen Harrison, Wes Jacobson and Nick Wimmer finished ninth (3:34.72).

A small number of student-athletes will compete at the Beloit Relays April 26-27 in preparation for the GLIAC Championships May 1-3.