Huskies Vault to Strong Performance at Golden Grizzlies
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Michigan Tech outdoor track and field student-athletes posted 21 individual event personal bests to make a strong showing Saturday at the Golden Grizzlies Meet, hosted by Oakland University. Highlights included Braden Reichl's win in the 3,000 meter steeplechase as well as Cody Tuftee and Toby Bonner pole vaulting to the top two podium spots in that event. Tuftee cleared 4.73 meters (15' 6.25") to surpass his previous top height. Bonner, a freshman, took a mark of 4.40 meters (14' 5.25") and also finished fifth in javelin.
"We had a great day at the Golden Grizzlies invitational," said head track and field coach Kristina Owen. "We really lucked out on the weather. The forecast called for wind and rain. While the wind did pick up for the later events, the rain held off until the meet was over. Coach Rice from Oakland University went above and beyond in adjusting the schedule to maximize conditions for great performances. We had a ton of athletes set collegiate PR's at this meet. I was super excited about how our pole vault crew performed. All three of our competing athletes set new PR's. The culture on the pole vault crew is really exceptional as they are incredible at supporting one another and helping each other improve."
Logan Lukonic took fourth place in the men's 5,000 meter run with a time of 15:08.65. Ben Holland (eighth) and Nick McKenzie (ninth) also finished in the top-10 in the 31 athlete field. "I felt the second heat of the men's 5K was another example of Huskies working together," Owen said. "Kenny (Abraham), Nick (McKenzie), Luke (Moore), and Ben (Holland) came out of the start in a dominant position and led the heat in the first four places of the pack."
In total, the Michigan Tech men set personal bests in seven distance races while the women posted four. Bailie Falla and Katelyn Feldpausch set new lows in steeplechase. Feldpausch was the fastest of the pair with a time of 11:56.6 but teammate Sam Kurkowski finished second in the nine runner field with a time of 11:23.90.
Men's and women's outdoor track and field continues with competition in the Al Owens Invitational, hosted by Grand Valley State on Friday, April 16 in Allendale, Michigan. The GLIAC outdoor championships will be hosted by Davenport on May 5.
MTU Collegiate PR's at Golden Grizzlies Invitational
| NAME | EVENT | MARK |
| Kenny Abraham | 5000m | 15:31.7 |
| Toby Bonner | Javelin | 43.84m |
| Toby Bonner | Pole Vault | 4.40m |
| Jenna Brewer | 800m | 2:18.9 |
| Isaac Coulter | Pole Vault | 3.95m |
| Bailie Falla | 3000m Steeplechase | 12:35.0 |
| Katelyn Feldpausch | 3000m Steeplechase | 11:56.6 |
| Ben Holland | 5000m | 15:26.0 |
| Sam Lange | 5000m | 15:53.7 |
| Andrew Lewis | 400m Hurdles | 55.9 |
| Logan Lukonic | 5000m | 15:09.0 |
| Sam Lange | 5000m | 15:53.7 |
| Nick McKenzie | 5000m | 15:26.4 |
| Theresa Passe | 1500m | 4:46.2 |
| Ben Passolt | 3000m Steeplechase | 9:56.0 |
| Kyle Samluk | 1500m | 4:10.2 |
| Cody Tuftee | Pole Vault | 4.73m |
| Robbie Watling | 5000m | 15:41.5 |
| Jon Wildey | 400m dash | 51.46 |
| Jon Wildey | 800m dash | 2:02.5 |
| Mariah Willmer | 400 m dash | 1:03.5 |
