TicketsCINCINNATI - The first day action at the Jesse Owens Track Classic came to a close Friday night in Columbus with a small group of University of Cincinnati competitors taking part in several events. Annette Echikunwoke was the top finisher on the night as she was second in the women's championship division of the hammer throw while finishing as the top collegiate entry.
// WOMEN'S THROWS
Echikunwoke finished with a best of 63.22m (207-05), giving her the third mark of her career in the 63 meter range after hitting that area twice last week as she smashed her own school record. Professional athlete Jessica Ramsey won the event with a toss of 65.07m.
In the collegiate women's hammer throw, senior Nicole Breeden placed ninth overall as she finished with a best of 52.42m (171-11). That marks is just off her season and career-best marks of 52.92m (173-07).
// WOMEN'S TRACK
Three Bearcats competed in running events on the night, including the 1,500m run and 5,000m showcase run. In the shorter event, Meg Westerheide was the top UC finisher as she crossed the line in 4:33.88 to place 16th overall. That time just missed her personal-best time of 4:33.79, which is the second-fastest in UC history. In the same race, Vanessa Robinson raced to a time of 4:39.29, bettering her PR by 0.68 seconds to move into seventh on the program's all-time Top 10. The final racer of the night Juliana Madzia, who as 12th in the 5,000m run as she crossed the line in 17:22.27.
// MEN'S THROWS
Two Bearcats competed in the hammer throw Friday night and both placed in the Top 8. John Zedella led the charge as he was seventh overall with a mark of 47.93m (157-03) while rookie Chris Province took eighth overall with a best of 47.10m (154-06).
// MEN'S TRACK
Two men competed in two different events on the night with Dan Huben running in the 3,000m steeplechase while Seamus Collins raced in the 5,000m run. Huben placed 10th overall in 9:29.15 while Collins took 13th in the longer race with a time of 14:52.80.
// IN THE BLOCKS
The second and final day of action at the Jesse Owens Classic will be take place Saturday. UC will have entrants in the field events starting at 11 a.m. with the long jump and men's high jump while running events get underway at noon.
2017 Jesse Owens Track Classic - Day 1 (4/21/17)
Women's Results
1,500m Run
16. Meg Westerheide - 4:33.88
26. Vanessa Robinson - 4:39.29 - PR & UC #7
5,000m Run - Showcase
12. Juliana Madzia - 17:22.27
Hammer - Championship
2. Annette Echikunwoke - 63.22m (207-05)
* Top collegiate finisher
Hammer
9. Nicole Breeden - 52.42m (171-11)
Men's Results
3,000m Steeplechase
10. Dan Huben - 9:29.15
5,000m Run
13. Seamus Collins - 14:52.80
Hammer
7. John Zedella - 47.93m (157-03)
8. Chris Providence - 47.10m (154-06)