LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY TRACK AND FIELD PAGE
As days ago, Ashland University's women's and men's outdoor track and field teams had a pretty impressive one on Saturday (April 6) at the second and final day of the Northeast Ohio Quad at the University of Akron.
The Eagle women and men, ranked 16th and 21st in NCAA Division II respectively, racked up 13 nationals marks on Saturday – two new automatic, eight improved provisional and three new provisional – for 2019 NCAA Division II outdoor nationals (May 23-25 in Kingsville, Texas).
Leading the way for the AU contingent was redshirt freshman Lindsay Baker, who moved into first place in the country in the women's shot put by taking the event at 16.41 meters, was third in the women's hammer throw at 58.04 meters, and took second in the women's discus throw at 50.54 meters.
Depending on other results around D-II, senior Mackenzie Leigh may very well be the No. 1 women's hammer thrower in the country, as well, following her win at Akron on Saturday in 59.47 meters.
Baker autoed in the women's shot, and junior Alex Hill did the same in the men's hammer throw, winning at 65.91 meters. Both sophomore Brent Fairbanks (second, 63.56 meters) and senior Jim Toth (fourth, 58.82 meters) improved upon previous provisionals, and senior Stephen Pop earned a new provo (fifth, 55.13 meters).
In the men's shot, junior Jake Glass won at 17.22 meters for an improved provisional, and junior Nick Zak earned a new one with a fourth-place effort at 16.57 meters.
Hill was second in the men's discus (second, 52.66 meters), and Toth was fourth (50.66 meters). Senior Natalie Helenthal was fourth in the women's hammer at 56.45 meters.
Late Saturday night at the 40th Sun Angel Track Classic in Tempe, Ariz., senior Myles Pringle made his season debut, impressively winning the Division I-dominated men's 400-meter dash in 45.62 seconds. That mark is the best in D-II this season, and earns Pringle automatic entry into outdoor nationals.
Ashland's men and women will compete at two meets next week – Thursday-Saturday (April 11-13) at the Tennessee Relays, and Saturday at the Walsh Invitational.
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