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Redhawk Invitational unfinished

Photo by Connor Moriarty, Photography Editor

By Harrison Schwartz, For The Miami Student

The Miami University track and field team competed in the RedHawk Invitational, their third home stand, Saturday. The meet was halted due to thunderstorms, and fewer than half the events were completed. Overall team scores were not awarded.

Men's head coach Warren Mandrell believes the weather played a detrimental effect in his team's performance.

"The marks weren't spectacular," said Mandrell. "The conditions were pretty unpleasant, which hurt our performance."

However, members of the men's squad placed highly in the few events that were still open.

Junior Andrew Vollett placed third in the shot put with a throw of 50.10-75 and finished first in the discus with a throw of 144-10.

Miami's long jumpers separated themselves from the rest of the collegiate competitors and swept the podium. Sophomore Grant Cole finished first with a leap of 21-7.50, and senior Sam Spallinger placed second with a 21-7.50 mark. Cole won the tiebreaker because his leap was on an earlier attempt. Freshman Kenny Glenn rounded out the top three with a jump of 21-06.25.

In action on the track, senior Sam Chester placed first in the 110-meter hurdles with a 14.71 time.

Members of the women's team also reached the podium several times.

Sophomore Brenna Poulsen placed first in the 5k run with a 17:34.92 time, while freshman Sarah Starrett placed fourth with a personal best 17:57.38 time.

A 5-04.25 leap gave junior Jessica Baker third place in the long jump. Sophomore Arionna Darling achieved a career best in the hammer throw with a heave of 39-07.75.

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Head coach Kelly Phillips was disappointed by the rain, but thought her team performed well given the circumstances.

"The performances were really good, said Phillips. "The team came to perform well, but they were disappointed when it was rained out."

Several RedHawks were not at home over the weekend and competed in away meets.

Three runners from the men's team competed in the Penn Relays. Junior Joe Stewart ran a 14:14.10 in the 5k, a career best.

Four athletes from the women's squad competed in the Drake Relays, a meet Phillips calls "prestigious."

Junior Amelia Strickler placed first in the shot put, extending her first place streak to four meets.

"It's always a lot of fun competing against the best," said Strickler. "I love seeing good track and field. It was great."

The men's team returns to action Saturday at the Kentucky Relays in Lexington, Kentucky. The women's side will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana for the Dave Rankin Invitational.