Kent State throwers claim top five finishes in Queen City
4/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
CINCINNATI - On a day better suited for the men's downhill alpine, Kent State's Evan Whiting survived the elements and all challengers in the men's shot put at the 2007 Oliver Nikoloff Invitational.
With hinds howling, dropping temperatures well into the lower 30s at Gettler Stadium, the Golden Flashes' freshman came up with a finals toss of 15.5 meters (50' 10'' 1/4) to win the event. Whiting finished first, one-quarter meter ahead of runner-up Ryan Flynn of the host Bearcats.
The Flashes had similar success in the men's discus and hammer throw. John Harper and Tony Conner both had top-five finishes in the discus, as Harper placed second with a toss of 55.9 meters (183' 5''), and Conner placed fifth with a throw of 47.93 meters (157' 3''). In the hammer, junior Jaroslaw Zakrzewski finished second with a throw of 60.76 meters. Teammate Harper finished fifth with a best effort of 55.10 meters. Conner also competed in the event, finishing 14th.
On the women's side of the Invitational, sophomore Brittni Borrero won the women's discus title with a finals toss of 45.31 meters (148' 8''). However, it was an earlier-round toss of 47.91 meters which was good for an NCAA qualifiying mark. Her finals effort placed her almost a full meter ahead of runner-up Jennifer Tinney of Ashland. Borrero was joined in the top five by fellow sophomore Ashley Crigger. She placed fourth with a finals mark of 39.83 meters.
The sophomores continued to shine when Effua Ampadu notched a top-five performance in the hammer throw. Ampadu's finals mark of 42.43 meters (139' 2'') placed her behind Cincinnati's Jenni Schitmeyer; who finished at 43.67 meters.
The Golden Flashes will take a break from the travel this weekend, April 13-14, when they take part in the Akron Quad.
