TicketsFeb. 12, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The University of Cincinnati track and field team wrapped up action before next weekend's BIG EAST Indoor Championships, competing at the Hoosier Hills Invitational Friday and Saturday at Gladstein Fieldhouse on the campus of Indiana University.
The women's team had multiple event champions, led by junior Mackenzie Fields (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mariemont), who won the pole vault finals after setting a school-record height of 4.21 meters (13-09.75 feet).
Sophomore sprinter Shanay Portis (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) finished No. 1 in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.88. Freshman Cameron Gardner (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) placed first in the 60-meter dash, finishing in 7.79 seconds.
The UC men's team also fared well in Bloomington this weekend after senior thrower Troy Cooper (Alexandria, Ky./Bishop Brossart) got things started right for the Bearcats with a first place finish in the shot put, recording a throw of 17.27 meters.
Junior Terrence Somerville (Akron, Ohio/Buchtel) won the 60-meter hurdles event with a time of 7.93 seconds, while sophomore Oliver Book (Starlight, Ind./Providence) placed first in the one-mile run after recording a time of 4:15.30.
Several other Bearcats finished just shy of earning individual championships. Senior sprinter Chase VanCura (Mansfield, Ohio/Ontario) came in second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.76, just 0.04 seconds behind Indianapolis' Nick Brittain. Senior Eric Finan (New Richmond, Ohio/New Richmond) placed third in the 3,000-meter invitational run with a school record time of 7:59.02.
The Cincinnati women's indoor team will compete at the BIG EAST Championships on Feb. 19-20 in Akron, Ohio.