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Track and field places third in Miami Invite

By Harrison Schwarz, The Miami Student

The men's and women's Miami track and field teams hosted their 30th Miami Invitational Saturday.

The men finished the day with 92.5 points for third place. University of Cincinnati won the meet with 113 points overall. The women's team totaled 77 points for a fourth place finish. UC also took first place in the women's meet with 157 points total.

Due to flooding in Louisville, hundreds of extra collegiate runners flocked to Miami's race at Rider Track after the Bellarmine Invitational was canceled. Miami's Invitational originally had 350 athletes signed up to compete, but the number expanded to 610 after the cancellation.

Men's head coach Warren Mandrell welcomed all teams that called.

"It's just something to deal with," Mandrell said. "You don't want the other teams to not have an opportunity to compete."

On the men's side, several RedHawks placed in the top five in their respective events.

Senior javelin thrower Tyler Yee won the javelin event, throwing a 199-05. Senior Sam Chester won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.70, while senior Skyler Coburn placed second with a 53.20 time in the 400-meter hurdles. In the 800-meter run, redshirt freshman Andrew Dusing finished second with a 1:54.77 time as Miami's sole competitor in the two-lap race.

Sophomore Stephen Biebelhausen placed third in the 1500-meter run with a 3:57.65 time. Sophomore Grant Cole came in third place in the long jump with a 23 1/4 mark. Miami took third in the 4x400 relay after juniors Adam Bodrick and Joey Comisford, sophomore Tyler Gittens and Coburn ran a 3:20.50.

Though the RedHawks did not clinch the top spot, some MU competitors still felt content with their effort.

"I've had a lot of fun today," freshman javelin thrower Carson Cash said. "This is my first home meet, and I'm excited to be part of the Miami track and field team."

On the women's side, Miami started the day on a strong note.

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Freshman Maria Scavuzzo won the first race of the morning, the 10,000-meter. She completed the 25-lap race in 38:41.94.

Junior Amelia Strickler won the shot put with a heave of 52-6.50. Her throw was 10 percent longer than the closest competitor.

Sophomore Briah Owens ran a 12.46 to win the 100-meter dash, while teammate freshman Kylie Goldsmith came in at third (12.63).

In field action, junior Jessica Baker placed third in the high jump on a 5-04.25 mark, which ties her personal best.

Women's head coach Kelley Phillips expressed disappointment with her team's overall effort.

"There's a lot of work to do moving forward," Phillips said. "Lots of people took being home for granted and didn't race like they practiced."

The Red and White return to the Rider track next weekend for the All-Ohio Championship. Competition begins Friday with the multi-events.