March 2, 2012
Site: Hodges Stadium (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Event: North Florida Spring Break Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
U-M Team Result: No Team Scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 3 -- at North Florida Spring Invitational (Jacksonville, Fla.), 9 a.m.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In the first outdoor meet of 2012, the University of Michigan women's track and field team recorded seven top-five performances, including two individual event victories, on day one of the North Florida Spring Break Invitational on Friday (March 2) at Hodges Stadium.
Junior Erin Pendleton (Lindsey, Ohio/Woodmore) opened the day by throwing a lifetime-best distance of 54.94 meters (180-3.00) in the hammer throw to win the event. Pendleton hit the mark on her sixth and final throw of the event.
On the track, sophomore Amber Smith (Cleveland, Ohio/Collinwood) also started the 2012 outdoor season off with a win, running a personal-best time of 13.74 in the 100-meter hurdles. Joining Smith in the hurdles was sophomore Erin Busbee (Cleveland, Ohio/Collinwood), who clocked a career-best time of 14.40 to take fourth.
In the 400-meter dash, senior Brittani Williams (Detroit, Mich./Jackson) finished runner-up in a personal-best time of 55.50, just .22 seconds behind Florida State's Elizabeth Ichite, who won the event. In her second season competing for Michigan, senior/junior Shelby Hines (Marietta, Ga./Wheeler) finished fifth in the 400, also recording a lifetime best of 56.55.
Junior Charlotte Cahill (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington) crossed the finish line in third place in a personal-best time of 12.00 in the 100-meter dash. Senior/junior Tofunmi Akeredolu (Southfield, Mich./Lathrup) recorded Michigan's final top-five finish in the field, tying for third in the long jump with a mark of 5.72 meters (18-9.25).
The Wolverines will be back in action tomorrow (Saturday, March 3) at 9 a.m. at Hodges Stadium for the final day of the North Florida Spring Break Invitational.
Event Winners/U-M Finishers (Day 1)
Hammer Throw
1. Erin Pendleton, U-M 54.94m (180-3.00)
9. Joanna Fleming, U-M 45.40m (148-11.00)
20. Kari Prena, U-M 36.32m (119-2.00)
Long Jump
1. Lashanna Barchue, Kennesaw State 5.75m (18-10.50)
t3. Tofunmi Akeredolu, U-M 5.72m (18-9.25)
21. Taylor Moore-Willis, U-M 5.02m (16-5.75)
100-meter Dash
1. Bianca Smith, Florida State 11.90
3. Charlotte Cahill, U-M 12.00
100-meter Hurdles
1. Amber Smith, U-M 13.74
4. Erin Busbee, U-M 14.40
400-meter Dash
1. Elizabeth Ichite, Florida State 55.28
2. Brittani Williams, U-M 55.50
5. Shelby Hines, U-M 56.55
6. Amber Smith, U-M 56.88
9. Ada Unachukwu, U-M 57.18
800-meter Run
1. LaTonya Payne, Unattached 2:13.67
5. Chinyere Onimo, U-M 2:17.46
9. Chelsey Miller, U-M 2:21.20
PERSONAL RECORDS
Contact: Whitney Dixon (734) 763-4423
