From: Jeff Febus (jfebus@calvin.edu)
Date: Wed May 07 2003 - 22:57:45 EDT
CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2003
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
With a slight drizzle and the winds cold and gusty, Wednesday's weather
conditions seemed hardly ideal for strong throwing performances.
At Wednesday's Aquinas College Last Chance Invitational, Calvin's group of
throwers made onlookers think otherwise as they shattered three school records
and continued to qualify individuals for the upcoming NCAA III Championships.
In the men's competition, Calvin sophomore Nate Meckes of Detroit Westland
Lutheran High School continued to shine as she shattered the school record in
the discus with an NCAA III automatic qualifying throw of 177-2. The throw
shattered the previous school mark of 175-8 established by current Calvin
assistant throwing coach Steve Michmerhuizen in 1998. The throw is also the
second-best in NCAA III track and field this spring. In addition, Meckes took
first place in the shot put with a throw of 54-11.
In the women's discus, Calvin junior Katie Corner of Grand Rapids Catholic
Central High School also sparkled, taking first place with an NCAA III
automatic qualifying performance of 155-10. The throw ranks as the second-best
in NCAA III women's track and field this spring.
In the women's shot put, senior Mandy VanDenBosch of Grand Rapids Christian
High School also had a huge afternoon, taking first place with a strong NCAA
III provisional qualifying and school record throw of 44-10. Her throw was a
career-best by more than two feet and eclipsed the school record set by Corner
earlier this year by more than a foot-and-a-half. It was also just an
inch-and-a-half short of an NCAA III automatic qualifying performance and will
almost certainly land her a spot in the NCAA III Championship field in two
weeks. Earlier in her throwing series, VanDenBosch uncorked a career-best and,
at that point, school record throw of 43-6. On her very next attempt,
VanDenBosch unleashed another toss of 43-6. setting up her school record throw
of 44-10.
The throw by VanDenBosch was part of a powerful quartet of performances turned
in by the Knights in the women's shot put competition as senior Liz Frens
(Grand Rapids Christian High School) took second (42-6 1/2), Corner took third
(42-5) and sophomore Lisa Nanninga (Grand Rapids Christian HS) took fourth
(41-4). The throws by Frens and Corner were NCAA III provisional qualifying
marks.
"It was definitely a very exciting day," said head Calvin throwing coach Norm
Zylstra. "Although it was a little cold, the wind definitely helped our discus
throwers and that women's shot put competition was great. We have an excellent
group of throwers this year and they push each other in a positive way."
Calvin also received solid performances from a handful other other individuals
on Wednesday. In the women's 4 x 100 meter relay, the Calvin quartet of
sophomores Laura Hamilton (Downers Grove, IL), Kristen Carlson (Encinitas, CA),
Sue Abbring (Highland, IN) and senior Annie VanderLaan (Grand Rapids Christian
HS) took first place with a strong NCAA III provisional qualifying time of
47.79. Hamilton then clocked an NCAA III provisional and season-best time of
1:03.43 in taking second place in the 400 meter hurdles.
Hamilton then teamed up with Abbring, VanderLaan and junior Shawna Anderson
(Bismark, ND) to win the 4 x 400 meter relay in an NCAA III provisional
qualifying time of 3:51.93. The time was a season best and is the
fourth-fastest 4 x 400 meter relay time turned in this spring in NCAA III
women's track and field. It missed an NCAA III automatic qualifying mark by
.93 of a second.
Another highlight was the performance of freshman Brian VanDyken (Grand Rapids
Christian HS) who turned in a season-best time of 49.78 in taking second place
in the 400 meters. Freshman Jason Koning (South Christian HS) also matched a
season-best in the pole vault in clearing the bar at 14-0.
The bulk of Calvin's track and field team returns to action on Friday when it
competes at the Dr. Keeler Invitational hosted by North Central College.
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