Eastern Michigan Athletics

Jumpers and Throwers Shine at Day One of Spec Towns Invitational
4/8/2021 4:35:00 PM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed sets new school record long jump of 7.87m
Photo Gallery
ATHENS, Ga. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University track & field program saw its jumpers excel during day one of the Spec Towns Invitational, April 9, in Athens, Ga. The meet, hosted by the University of Georgia, featured teams such as Akron, Arkansas State, as well as individual participants from Virginia Commonwealth.
"We had an outstanding day," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "We counted 14 personal bests including a new school record. The meet atmosphere was very lively and the team took advantage of the good weather conditions. Today was a big step forward for us."
Numerous Eagles registered a career-high day and a few top-10 program marks while one individual set a new school record. Redshirt senior Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed (Arlington, Va.-Fishburne Military) was the star of the day as he recorded a program-best long jump of 7.87m. That mark crushed his previous high of 7.58m, topping former Eagle Victor Nembhard's 7.76m jump from 1999.
"This is an exciting breakthrough for him after being injured during the indoor season," added Parks. "We're proud of all the work that he's put in to come back strong"
Junior Nina Ward (Fairfield, Ohio-Fairfield) was exceptional in the long jump as well, producing a leap of 6.31m, landing her third in program history. Her performance today surpassed former Eagle Ingrid Boyse's bound of 6.22m set in 1985. The all-time record is 6.48m, set by 2005 outdoor hepthalon national champion Lela V. Nelson.
On the track, junior Dante Lander (Dayton, Ohio-West Carrollton (Central Michigan)) eclipsed a personal-best in the 400m hurdles in a blazing 53.49 clip. Meanwhile, junior Morgan Iverson (Hoschton, Ga.-Mill Creek) set a new career-high in the same event, crossing the finish in 1:01.44 for second place.
A pair of Eagles notched career-high times in the 200m dash in junior Mair Edwards (Basingstoke, England-The Costello School) (3rd – 24.23), and graduate student Kolby Ganther (Park City, Kan.-Northeast Magnet (Garden City C.C.)) (4th – 24.24). Moreover, the Green and White also saw juniors Karlie Swanson (Coffs Harbour, Australia-Bellingen (Boise State)) and Lexi Seifert (Waterford, Pa.- Villa Maria Academy) both notch personal records in the 1500m run, clocking in at 4:29.13 and 4:34.72, respectively.
In the field, both teams' throwers shined. On the men's side, graduate student Taige Bryant (Edmond, Okla.-Edmond Memorial) produced a 64.84m toss to earn first place, while classmate Zach Harkey (Huron, Ohio-Huron) made a 62.79m heave to place him fourth on the all-time program list. Veteran senior Kadian Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica-Immaculate Conception) moved up to No. 3 in program history in the hammer throw with a huge 57.18m launch. Junior teammate Savanah Luthman (Minster, Ohio-Minster) also made the school's top-10 list in the event, achieving a mark of 48.08m for ninth all-time.
Additionally, the men's javelin specialists also etched their names into the school record book. Senior Joe Duff (Crosswell, Mich.-Crosswell-Lexington (Concordia)) (61.04m) and graduate student Garrett Wade (Rio Rancho, N.M-V. Sue Cleveland) (60.75m) are now eighth and ninth, respectively.
EMU will continue with the final day of the Spec Towns Invitational tomorrow, April 10, starting at 10:30 a.m. Meanwhile, some distance runners will compete at Oakland University's Golden Grizzlies Invite, in Rochester, Mich. Events kick off at 11 a.m. For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Instagram, @EMUXC_TF, and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF.
Spec Towns Invitational Results | Day One
April 9, 2021 | Athens, Ga.
# = School Record, * = Career-High, DNS = Did Not Score, DQ = Disqualified
Men's Individual Results
200m
5. Kyle Martin 22.42
400m Hurdles
3. Dante Lander 53.49*
6. Payne Wylie 54.76
8. Frankie Grey 55.60
Long Jump
3. Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed 7.87m#*
Hammer Throw
2. Taige Bryant 64.84m
6. Zach Harkey 62.79m*
7. Kappa Bedoui 62.77m
11. Newlyn Stephenson 56.66m
Javelin
1. Joe Duff 61.04m*
2. Garrett Wade 60.75m*
4. Taige Bryant 45.93m
Women's Individual Results
200m
2. Micah Johnston 24.21
3. Mair Edwards 24.23*
4. Kolby Ganther 24.24*
5. Keypathwa Gibson 25.17
1500m
2. Karlie Swanson 4:29.13*
7. Lexi Seifert 4:34.72*
400m Hurdles
2. Morgan Iverson 1:01.44*
4. Tiffany Cernej-Garcia 1:04.51
6. Angel Gazaway 1:09.80
4x100
-- EMU 'A' - (Alyson Davis, Micah Johnston, Brittni Mason, Kolby Ganther) DQ
Long Jump
5. Nina Ward 6.31m*
10. Gianna Salzbrunn 5.30m
Pole Vault
4. Graysen Simmons 3.80m
7. Maura Lane 3.65m
Hammer Throw
2. Kadian Clarke 57.18m*
8. Miranda Cadwell 48.23m
ATHENS, Ga. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University track & field program saw its jumpers excel during day one of the Spec Towns Invitational, April 9, in Athens, Ga. The meet, hosted by the University of Georgia, featured teams such as Akron, Arkansas State, as well as individual participants from Virginia Commonwealth.
"We had an outstanding day," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "We counted 14 personal bests including a new school record. The meet atmosphere was very lively and the team took advantage of the good weather conditions. Today was a big step forward for us."
Numerous Eagles registered a career-high day and a few top-10 program marks while one individual set a new school record. Redshirt senior Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed (Arlington, Va.-Fishburne Military) was the star of the day as he recorded a program-best long jump of 7.87m. That mark crushed his previous high of 7.58m, topping former Eagle Victor Nembhard's 7.76m jump from 1999.
"This is an exciting breakthrough for him after being injured during the indoor season," added Parks. "We're proud of all the work that he's put in to come back strong"
Junior Nina Ward (Fairfield, Ohio-Fairfield) was exceptional in the long jump as well, producing a leap of 6.31m, landing her third in program history. Her performance today surpassed former Eagle Ingrid Boyse's bound of 6.22m set in 1985. The all-time record is 6.48m, set by 2005 outdoor hepthalon national champion Lela V. Nelson.
On the track, junior Dante Lander (Dayton, Ohio-West Carrollton (Central Michigan)) eclipsed a personal-best in the 400m hurdles in a blazing 53.49 clip. Meanwhile, junior Morgan Iverson (Hoschton, Ga.-Mill Creek) set a new career-high in the same event, crossing the finish in 1:01.44 for second place.
A pair of Eagles notched career-high times in the 200m dash in junior Mair Edwards (Basingstoke, England-The Costello School) (3rd – 24.23), and graduate student Kolby Ganther (Park City, Kan.-Northeast Magnet (Garden City C.C.)) (4th – 24.24). Moreover, the Green and White also saw juniors Karlie Swanson (Coffs Harbour, Australia-Bellingen (Boise State)) and Lexi Seifert (Waterford, Pa.- Villa Maria Academy) both notch personal records in the 1500m run, clocking in at 4:29.13 and 4:34.72, respectively.
In the field, both teams' throwers shined. On the men's side, graduate student Taige Bryant (Edmond, Okla.-Edmond Memorial) produced a 64.84m toss to earn first place, while classmate Zach Harkey (Huron, Ohio-Huron) made a 62.79m heave to place him fourth on the all-time program list. Veteran senior Kadian Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica-Immaculate Conception) moved up to No. 3 in program history in the hammer throw with a huge 57.18m launch. Junior teammate Savanah Luthman (Minster, Ohio-Minster) also made the school's top-10 list in the event, achieving a mark of 48.08m for ninth all-time.
Additionally, the men's javelin specialists also etched their names into the school record book. Senior Joe Duff (Crosswell, Mich.-Crosswell-Lexington (Concordia)) (61.04m) and graduate student Garrett Wade (Rio Rancho, N.M-V. Sue Cleveland) (60.75m) are now eighth and ninth, respectively.
EMU will continue with the final day of the Spec Towns Invitational tomorrow, April 10, starting at 10:30 a.m. Meanwhile, some distance runners will compete at Oakland University's Golden Grizzlies Invite, in Rochester, Mich. Events kick off at 11 a.m. For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Instagram, @EMUXC_TF, and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF.
Spec Towns Invitational Results | Day One
April 9, 2021 | Athens, Ga.
# = School Record, * = Career-High, DNS = Did Not Score, DQ = Disqualified
Men's Individual Results
200m
5. Kyle Martin 22.42
400m Hurdles
3. Dante Lander 53.49*
6. Payne Wylie 54.76
8. Frankie Grey 55.60
Long Jump
3. Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed 7.87m#*
Hammer Throw
2. Taige Bryant 64.84m
6. Zach Harkey 62.79m*
7. Kappa Bedoui 62.77m
11. Newlyn Stephenson 56.66m
Javelin
1. Joe Duff 61.04m*
2. Garrett Wade 60.75m*
4. Taige Bryant 45.93m
Women's Individual Results
200m
2. Micah Johnston 24.21
3. Mair Edwards 24.23*
4. Kolby Ganther 24.24*
5. Keypathwa Gibson 25.17
1500m
2. Karlie Swanson 4:29.13*
7. Lexi Seifert 4:34.72*
400m Hurdles
2. Morgan Iverson 1:01.44*
4. Tiffany Cernej-Garcia 1:04.51
6. Angel Gazaway 1:09.80
4x100
-- EMU 'A' - (Alyson Davis, Micah Johnston, Brittni Mason, Kolby Ganther) DQ
Long Jump
5. Nina Ward 6.31m*
10. Gianna Salzbrunn 5.30m
Pole Vault
4. Graysen Simmons 3.80m
7. Maura Lane 3.65m
Hammer Throw
2. Kadian Clarke 57.18m*
8. Miranda Cadwell 48.23m
9. Savanah Luthman 48.08m*
-- Ariel Floyd FOUL
Javelin
3. Kristine Bourg 40.40m
5. Gianna Salzbrunn 31.19m
-- Ariel Floyd FOUL
Javelin
3. Kristine Bourg 40.40m
5. Gianna Salzbrunn 31.19m
Players Mentioned
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