Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
EMU Twilight
Four Second-Place Finishes Pace Eagles on Day One
4/16/2010 11:16:56 PM | Men's Track & Field
Sub-50 degree weather and plus-20 MPH winds thwart sub-four minute mile attempt
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Swirling winds exceeding 20 miles per hour and sub-50 degree temperatures thwarted the attempts of Eastern Michigan University men's track athlete David Brent and his efforts to run a sub-four minute mile at the EMU Twilight, Friday, April 16.
The Washtenaw Invitational Mile, as it was dubbed, still lived up to its billing, however, as Brent emerged from the middle of the pack with less than 200 meters remaining to claim a second-place finish with a time of 4:09.06. The race's pace started right on track, with the first quarter-mile coming in at just over one minute. The second split fell behind with a split time of 2:04, and the third quarter was clocked at 3:04.
“We kicked pretty early and gave it our all on that third lap,” said Brent. “The wind played a huge factor in the race, but we were still able to put up pretty good times.”
In other events, senior Gerald Gersham, finished second in the shot put with a toss of 53-01.75, while Matt Hammersmith had an impressive second-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. His time was 9:37.88.
Also finishing in second for the Eagles was jumper Xavier Clais. His long jump of 22-07.75 was enough to out-jump most of the field, with the exception of one unattached leaper.
Competition wraps up Saturday, April 17, as throwing events get underway at 10 a.m. and running events start at noon.
