The Bowling Green women’s track team, led by a first place finish by thrower Kerri McClung, took fifth place at last weekend’s Miami Invite with 70 points. The Mid-American Conference teams dominated the meet, with four out of the top five teams being MAC squads. Ball State took first with 144 points followed by Miami (113), Kent State (112) and Cincinnati (87.5).

“Overall, it was a pretty good team effort,” head coach Scott Sehmann said. “Everyone was focused on putting in their best efforts.”

McClung’s shot put throw of 15.44 meters was good enough for first place and qualified her for the NCAA Regionals. The distance is also a new school record.

Other Falcon throwers who had a strong meet were Lauren Bryant, who took third in the discus, and Andi Bunko, who placed fourth in the javelin.

The Falcon distance runners, who have been strong all season, continued to shine. Nicole Suitor took third in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 11:08.29, Jamie Roflow took third in the 5,000 meters in 17:25.63, and Melissa Krueger took second in the 800 meters in 2:14.74.

Not to be left out, several BG sprinters had very strong meets as well.

“Jessica White had a great meet, especially in the 100 [meters]. She was not seeded and just missed winning. It was a good improvement,” Sehmann said.

White took fifth in the 100 meters with a time of 11.93. The 4 x 100 meter relay team of White, April Whitten, Valerie Holland and Amber Walker placed third in the event with a season best time of 42.70.

Erica Wilson led the Falcon jumpers with a fifth place finish in the high jump (1.60 meters) and a seventh place finish in the long jump (5.47 meters).

After several meets in poor weather conditions, Sehmann credits the nicer weather as one factor that helped the team perform successfully.

“It was a nice warm day, and we took advantage of it as best we could,” Sehmann said.

The Falcons will be back in action this weekend as they compete in the All-Ohio Championships.