Eastern Michigan Athletics

Thursday, May 12
Toledo, Ohio
All Day

Eastern Michigan University

at

MAC Outdoor Championships

Derek Ziegenfuss Outdoor MAC Champs
Photo by: Mid-American Conference

Pair of Program Records Propel Eagles to Solid Start at MAC Championships

5/12/2016 8:22:00 PM | Men's Track & Field

The Green and White notched new program bests in the hammer throw and javelin

Day One Results

TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's track and field team posted a strong start to the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships today, May 12. After the first day of competition, the Eagles stand atop the team standings with a total of 22 points after posting two program records in the hammer throw and the javelin throw.

The Eagles came away with two top-five finishers in the hammer throw. Leading the way was redshirt senior Keith Williams (Sherman, Ill. – Williamsville), who finished second after notching a mark of 64.28 meters/ 210 feet 11-inches. Not only was his throw a personal-best, but it was also the top throw in EMU history, improving upon his previous record. Also taking home a top-five finish was redshirt junior Anthony Jones (Sandusky, Ohio – Sandusky). Jones finished fourth with a throw of 59.44 meters/ 195 feet 0.5-inches, while redshirt freshman Kevin Bouchard (Whitmore Lake, Mich. – Whitmore Lake) posted a mark of 50.75 meters/ 166 feet 6.25-inches.

Despite only participating in a small number of meets throughout the season, freshman Derek Ziegenfuss (Allentown, Pa. – Parkland) came away with a dominating win in the javelin throw, earning the Eagles' first ever javelin title after posting a mark of 67.44m/ 221 feet 3.5-inches. The freshman's throw was more than 10 feet further than the second-place finisher, and 16 feet from the third-place competitor. With this personal-best mark, Ziegenfuss has cemented himself as the top javelin thrower in the EMU record books, taking over the top spot from Bill Kouvolo, who set the record in 1970.

The Green and White are in a good position with day one of the decathlon wrapping up, as redshirt senior Solomon Simmons (Murrieta, Calif. – Murrieta Valley) leads the field with a total of 3950 points, putting him on pace to beat his career-best total of 7862 points from last season. Also taking part in the decathlon was freshman Alex Jacobs (Dublin, Ohio – Dublin Jerome), who closed the day in eighth with 2941 points. The duo began the day in the 100m dash, with Simmons leading the pack and taking the event title in 10.86 seconds. The long jump saw the redshirt senior finish second with a jump of 6.85 meters/ 22 feet 5.75-inches, while Jacobs finished seventh with a mark of 6.40 meters/ 21 feet 0.5-inches, which was a personal-best. In the shot put, Simmons walked away with another gold, winning the event with a throw of 14.96 meters/ 49 feet 1.25-inches. Moving to the high jump, the Murrieta, Calif. native nabbed fourth with a mark of 1.84 meters/ 6 feet 0.5-inches. Just behind him, Jacobs took seventh with a jump of 1.75 meters/ 5 feet 8.75-inches. Finally, the pair closed the day with the 400m dash. Once again, Simmons claimed another gold, crossing the finish line in 49.62. Jacobs rounded out his day with a time of 57 seconds.

The 10,000m run was cancelled for the day due to inclement weather. The race will instead take place tomorrow morning, May 13, at 8:30 a.m. Following the 10000m run, the second day of competition will continue as scheduled at 10 a.m., as both the decathlon and heptathlon will pick up with the second half events. To follow along with live results, please click here.

Team Standings
1. Eastern Michigan 22
2. Central Michigan 18
3. Akron 16
4. Buffalo 6

EMU Individual Results (* denotes a personal best, % denotes a program record)
Event                                                 Mark                                   Points
Hammer Throw
2. Keith Williams                                64.28m/ 210-11*%
4. Anthony Jones                               59.44m/ 195-0.5
10. Kevin Bouchard                            50.75m/ 166-06.25

Javelin Throw
1. Derek Ziegenfuss                           67.44m/ 221-03.50*%

Decathlon 100m Dash
1. Solomon Simmons                          10.86                                   892
9. Alex Jacobs                                    11.95*                                  661

Decathlon Long Jump
2. Solomon Simmons                           6.85m/22-05.75                   778
7. Alex Jacobs                                    6.40m/21-00.50*                  677

Decathlon Shot Put
1. Solomon Simmons                          14.96m/ 49-01.25                  787
8. Alex Jacobs                                   10.19m/ 33-05.50*                 497

Decathlon High Jump
4. Solomon Simmons                           1.84m/ 6-00.50                     661
7. Alex Jacobs                                    1.75m/ 5-08.75                      585

Decathlon 400m Dash
1. Solomon Simmons                           49.62                                   832
9. Alex Jacobs                                     57.00*                                 521

Decathlon Day One
1. Solomon Simmons                                                                      3950
8. Alex Jacobs                                                                                2941
 
 
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Ben Reese
Friday, October 10
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Patrice Beasley
Friday, October 10