The Bowling Green State University track and field team competed in the BGSU Opener Saturday, placing fourth out of five teams.
The Falcons finished with a team score of 72.5 just seven and a half points behind third place Dayton (80). Western Michigan came out on top with 215 total points and Toledo behind them with 90.
Redshirt sophomore Brooke Pleger continues her great season with another first place finish in the weight throw. The past meet in December she broke her personal best with a 58-foot throw, and this time around she beat out that throw with a 60 foot- 7 throw.
“The win was great to see, it speaks a lot to her focus and work ethic, as well as what coach [Matt] Conly is putting together for her as far as training,” head coach Lou Snelling said.
Redshirt sophomore Jeannette Pettigrew who ran unattached finished in first place in the 60m finals with a time of 7.57. She also won the 200m dash with a time of 25.08. She was followed by Allorian Horne, Taylor Rambo and Felicia Jefferson who scored for the team in the 200.
“She is healthy, fit and she is just going to get better during the indoor season,” Snelling said. “I’m excited to see what she can do during the outdoor season.”
Brittany Sinclair highlighted the 400m dash for the Falcons with a third place finish as well as setting a personal best time of 58.25. She also contributed in the 4×400 relay team that earned a second place finish. Strong performances from Felicia Jefferson, Taylor Rambo and Demetra Taylor aided in the Falcons shaving roughly two seconds off their 1600 time from last month’s meet.
““It was her [Sinclair] first time in a Bowling Green uniform, so it was nice to see her really take that step,” Snelling said. “It’s great to see that immediate impact from that first recruiting class.”
The 3000m race may have been the most exciting race of the afternoon for the Falcons. Throughout the race they had four runners within the top seven. Andrea Alt led most of the way before being passed by Western Michigan’s Becca Peacock in the last few steps.
Although Alt did not win the race, she still posted a good time of 10.34.54. Jasmine Redman finished right behind Andrea with a time of 10.36.89 and Amanda Garlak who ran unattached finished fourth with a time of 10.37.31. Abby Koch, who was the defending champion of this race, seemed to have an off day with an eighth place finish and time of 10.47.30.
“It’s different running in little tight circles in indoor unlike when you run in courses in cross,” Alt said. “We all have to hang together Abby and Jasmine will be up there in front as well.”
