Women Claim AMC Outdoor Track & Field Title

RESULTS

During a three-day stretch that included countless clutch performances, the Hannibal-LaGrange University women's track & field team earned their first American Midwest Conference outdoor track & field championship this past weekend in Lebanon, IL. The ladies team score of 175 points outpaced three-time defending champion McKendree (155), William Woods (145), Park (83), and Missouri Baptist (68).

Consistency proved to be the key for the Lady Trojans as they were victorious in only four events. On day one of the meet, junior Jocelyn Bright stepped up for her last throw in the javelin in third place. However, Jocelyn unleashed a toss of 32.86m (107'10"), a nearly ten foot personal best,  to claim victory in the event.  Mandi Riddle capped off a terrific freshman year by taking the gold in both the 100m Hurdles (17.45) and 400m Hurdles (1:08.16). Senior Cara Grinde capped off her collegiate career by claiming victory in the pole vault, with a top vault of 3.20m (10'6').

In all, the Lady Trojans came through with 12 All-Conference performances. One of the highlights of the meet was the emergence of sophomore Holland McCoy, who scored points in six different events. Holland's effort included a runner-up finish in the high jump, where her leap of 1.65m (5'5") set a new school record and qualified her for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships. Holland finished 3rd in the 400m Hurdles, 3rd in the pole vault, 4th in the 100m Hurdles, 6th in the triple jump, and 4th on a record-setting 4x400m relay team. Freshman Breanna Newton continued her impressive debut by taking runner-up finishes in both the 800m (2:18.30) and 1500m (4:45.21) events. Both marks leave Breanna just shy of NAIA qualifying standards and she will have two more attempts to qualify before the end of the regular season.

Perhaps the most gutsy effort came from junior Jasman Edmond. Suffering an upper leg injury, and unsure of whether or not she would be able to compete at all in the championships, Jasman pressed on taking second place in the 100m dash in a school-record time of 12.62. She returned the following day to lead off the third-place finishing 4x100m relay team before ending her heroic effort by placing 5th in the 200m dash (26.93). In the 400m dash, freshman Sarah Wilson became the first HLG sprinter to break one minute in the open event, earning the silver with a time of 59.87. Sarah placed seventh in the 200m dash and competed on both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams.

Nicole Griesbaum came through with big efforts in the long distance events, placing third in the 10,000m race (42:02.96) to earn All-Conference honors. Nicole followed up that effort with a fifth place finish in the 5000m run (20:30.28). Senior Carissa Eichmeyer placed second in the 5000m Race Walk (32:46.64) while teammate Chelsea Holmstrom placed third (40:36.17). Brittni Klundt fought through illness to finish 5th in the high jump, with a season best mark of 1.55m (5'1"). Freshman Molley Patrick took home All-Conference honors by way of her third-place effort in the discus (32.14m) while also placing 6th in the javelin (24.58m). Fellow freshman Cailey Wilkinson placed second in the pole vault (3.05m) to earn All-Conference status while also placing 3rd in the 100m Hurdles and 4th in the 400m Hurdles. Abbie Herrold placed 4th in the women's hammer throw (31.32m) while teammate Alera Gill-Binder took 6th place in the shot put (10.42m).

In all, the Lady Trojans earned 12 All-Conference awards and broke 6 school records. In addition, Head Coach Jason Lewkowicz was named the 2011 AMC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year.

An injury plagued men's team did not have the numbers to compete for a conference crown but that did not prevent them from putting forth a gutsy effort, highlighted by three event champions and seven All-Conference honors. The team finished 4th in the team standings, scoring a total of 93 points.

Junior Andre Townsend battled through a lingering back injury to win the 110m Hurdles. His time of 14.65 seconds hit the automatic qualifying standard for the 2011 Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. Andre would return later in the meet to place third in the 200m dash with a time of 22.65. Sophomore John Anderson defended his title in the javelin, braking his own school and conference record in the event with his toss of 47.55m (156'0"). John also earned All-Conference honors  with his runner-up finish in the 400m Hurdles (56.54), while placing third in the 110m Hurdles (16.25) and leading off a school record breaking 4x400m relay team. Freshman Easton Padden earned his first outdoor track & field title in the pole vault with a best mark of 4.27m (14'0").

Junior Philiph Tonui helped the men's 4x800m relay team break the school record in the event with their third place finish (8:10.29) and returned a short while later to win the 10,000m run in a time of 33.17.39. Sophomore Zach Lewis wrapped up a solid season with a 5th place showing in the 800m race with a time of 1:58.10, while also competing on the 4x800m relay squad. Junior Chris Smith earned the silver in the high jump with a top leap of 1.96m (6'5") and just missed clearing 2.01m, a mark that would qualify him for the national meet. Junior Michael Clemons took home a 4th place finish in the triple jump with a best leap of 12.56m (41'2.5").

As of the conclusion of this meet, four HLG track & field athletes have qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National championships, which will take place May 26-28 in Marion, IN. Andre Townsend (110m Hurdles & 400m Hurdles), Philiph Tonui (10,000m & Marathon), Easton Padden (Pole Vault), and Holland McCoy (High Jump) have punched their ticket to nationals and teammates Breanna Newton (800 & 1500),  Chris Smith (high jump), and John Anderson (400m Hurdles) will travel to Bloomington, IN this Friday to compete in the Bill Hayes Invitational in hopes of also qualifying for the national meet. In addition, Nicole Griesbaum will be competing in a half marathon in Quincy, IL on May 14 in hopes of qualifying for the marathon at the national meet.

AMC Event Champions
Women
Mandi Riddle - 110m Hurdles & 400m Hurdles
Jocelyn Bright - Javelin
Cara Grinde - Pole Vault
Men
Andre Townsend - 110m Hurdles
Philiph Tonui - 10,000m
John Anderson - Javelin

All-Conference Honors
Women 
Jasman Edmond - 100m
Mandi Ridle - 100m Hurdles; 400m Hurdles
Sarah Wilson - 400m
Breanna Newton - 800m; 1500m
Nicole Griesbaum - 10,000m
Holland McCoy - High Jump
Cara Grinde - Pole Vault
Cailey Wilkinson - Pole Vault
Molley Patrick - Discus
Jocelyn Bright - Javelin
Men
Andre Townsend - 110m Hurdles; 200m
John Anderson - 400m Hurdles; Javelin
Philiph Tonui - 10,000m
Chris Smith - High Jump
Easton Padden - Pole Vault

New School Records
Women
Jasman Edmond: 100m (12.62)
Sarah Wilson: 400m (59.87)
Breanna Newton: 800m (2:18.30) & 1500m (4:45.21)
Holland McCoy: High Jump (1.65m - 5'5")
Sarah Wilson, Holland McCoy, Mandi Riddle, Breanna Newton: 4x400m (4:07.15)
Men
Andre Townsend: 110m Hurdles (14.65) & 200m (22.65)
Zach Lewis: 800m  (1:58.10)
Chris Smith: High Jump (1.65m - 6'5")
John Anderson: Javelin (47.55m - 156'0")
John Anderson, Zach Lewis, Jordan Creech, Brett Jones: 4x400m (3:31.14)
Zach Lewis, Brett Jones, Philiph Tonui, Edward Gregg: 4x800m (8:10.29)