Final Results
KALAMAZOO, Michigan - After taking control of the standings after day two, the University of Akron built upon their lead to claim the 2017 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship title. This is the first time since 2009 the Zips and MAC Coach of the Year Dennis Mitchell have captured both the indoor and outdoor MAC Titles.
Kent State's Danniel Thomas started off the day, earning her second individual title of the championship. The senior threw 59.31m (194-07) to claim her third women's discus crown. With her two titles at the championship, along with breaking the meet and conference record in both events Thomas was named the Most Outstanding Women's Field Performer.
After a third-place finish at last year's championship, Ball State's Regan Lewis claimed the high jump title with a vertical of 1.82m (5-11.50). Akron's Nikki Manson claimed silver at 1.78m (5-10). Daijia Mills of Akron and Northern Illinois; Chennel Palmer tied for third at 1.70 (5-07).
In the triple jump, Akron took the 1-2 spots. Senior Ariadna Ramos Gandia defended her title, leaping 12.82m (42-00.75) Her teammate, Weronika Gaudyn finished a quarter of an inch behind to grab second. Eastern Michigan's Dace Dreimane posted a 12.63m (41-05.25) length to claim third.
Eastern Michigan successfully defended their title in the 4x100 meter relay. The team of Jessica Harris, Khadesha James, Brittni Mason, and Jasmine Jones finished in 45.45. Western Michigan crossed second in 45.74 with the team of Dotson, Meredith, Dulaney, and Hufnagel. Akron's quad of Ramos Gandia, Green, Bell, and Johnson crossed third in 45.85.
Northern Illinois' Hope Schmelzle finished first in the 1500m run, crossing in 4:24.91. This was the second individual title of the championship for Schmelzle, which garnered her the Most Outstanding Women's Track Performer honor. Eastern Michigan's Alsu Bogdanova posted a 4:25.04 time to claim second and Akron's Mackenzie Andrews took third with a time of 4:29.79.
EMU's Bogdanova added an individual title to her two runner-up honors by finishing the 5000m in 16:45.78. With her three medal podiums, the junior was named the Women's Most Valuable Performer. Toledo's Joan Jepkirui finished in second with a time of 16:53.21 and Bogdanova's teammate, Jordann McDermitt took third in 16:53.21.
Crossing in 13.26, Miami's Alexus Jimson-Miller claimed the women's 100m hurdle title. The senior broke the Championship Meet record by .04 seconds. Buffalo's Selina Von Jackowski claimed second with a time of 13.52. Kent State's Mi'angel Daniels garnered third with a 13.62 finish.
Jasmine Jones of Eastern Michigan crossed the line of the 400m in 54.08. Miami freshman Olivia Bechtel finished in second with a time of 54.40 and Kent State's Tyler Williams took third with 54.57.
Jones picked up her second individual title of the meet in the 200m dash. The junior finished with a time of 23.60. Northern Illinois' Kedisha Dallas recorded a 23.68 to take second and Jessica Harris of EMU claimed third in 23.99.
In the 100m dash, the top three finishes were separated by .01. Ball State's Peyton Stewart posted a time of 11.55 to claim the title. Northern Illinois' Kedisha Dallas finished second in 11.56 and Akron's Daziah Green followed in 11.57 to take third.
Northern Illinois' Lorena Martin took home the 800m run title with a time of 2:07.80. Jordan Anderson of Western Michigan crossed at 2:08.33to take second and Kent State's Olivia Gaus posted a 2:08.43 to round out the top three.
Western Michigan's Lindsey Hufnagel impressed on her home track in the 400m hurdles. The senior posted a final time of 58.40 to take the 2017 title. Akron's Jackie Siefring grabbed second with a time of 58.43 and Kent State's Taylor Farquhar crossed third in 59.02.
Farquhar returned as the anchor of KSU's 4x400 relay team, joining Tyler Williams, Jorian Ordway, Lauren Burnett. The quad turned in a time of 3:40.43 to claim first place. Eastern Michigan's James, Johnston, Hurd, and Jones finished second in 3:42.11. Western Michigan's team of Dotson, Anderson, Bolden, and Hufnagel followed in third with 3:42.10.
Akron collected 128 points throughout the three-day competition. Eastern Michigan followed in second with 124 points, while Kent State listed 118.5 to take third. Northern Illinois finished fourth by collecting 84.5 and Miami rounds out the top five with 74. Toledo (63), Bowling Green (60), Western Michigan (53), Buffalo (48), Central Michigan (26), Ball State (25), and Ohio (14) complete the field, respectively.
Women's Coach of the Year
Dennis Mitchell, Akron
Women's Most Valuable Performer
Alsu Bogdanova, Eastern Michigan
Women's Track Freshman of the Year
Olivia Bechtel, Miami
Women's Field Freshman of the Year
Nadia Williams, Central Michigan
Most Outstanding Women's Field Performer
Danniel Thomas, Kent State
Most Outstanding Women's Track Performer
Hope Schmelzle, Northern Illinois
First Team
Daniella Johnson, Akron (long jump)
Ariadna Ramos Gandia, Akron (triple jump)
Jackie Siefring, Akron (heptathlon)
Regan Lewis, Ball State (high jump)
Peyton Stewart, Ball State (100m)
Alsu Bogdanova, EMU (5000m)
Jessica Harris, EMU (4x100)
Khadesha James, EMU (4x100)
Jasmine Jones, EMU (200m, 400m, 4x100)
Brittni Mason, EMU (4x100)
Jordann McDermitt, EMU (10000m)
Lauren Burnett, Kent State (4x400)
Morgan Estes, Kent State (pole vault)
Taylor Farquhar, Kent State (4x400)
Jorian Ordway, Kent State (4x400)
Danniel Thomas, Kent State (shot put, discus)
Tyler Williams, Kent State (4x400)
Danielle Collier, Miami (javelin)
Alexus Jimson-Miller, Miami (100 hurdles)
Martha Szekely, Miami (hammer throw)
Lorena Martin, NIU (800m)
Hope Schmelzle, NIU (1500m, 3000 steeplechase)
Lindsey Hufnagel, WMU (400 hurdles)
Second Team
Weronika Gaudyn, Akron (triple jump)
Nikki Manson, Akron (high jump)
Patricia Ortega, Akron (heptathlon)
Kayla Velasquez, BGSU (hammer throw)
Rachel Walny, BGSU (10000m)
Miranda Daucher, UB (discus)
Selina Von Jackowski, UB (100 hurdles)
Dayna Hurd, EMU (4x400)
Micah Johnston, EMU (4x400)
Cayla Carey, Kent State (long jump)
Samantha Tollerud, Kent State (pole vault)
Olivia Bechtel, Miami (400m)
Amelia Strickler, Miami (shot put)
Kedisha Dallas, NIU (100m, 200m)
Emma Ryan, Ohio (javelin)
Joan Jepkirui, UT (5000m)
Jordan Anderson, WMU (800m)
Sarita Dotson, WMU (4x100)
Naiomi Dulaney, WMU (4x100)
Madison Meredith, WMU (4x100)
