The Oakland University track and field team began their season last Friday, Dec. 6, with trips to Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University. Four school records were set at the meets, establishing a strong start for the season.
Grand Valley State University
Ke’vina Finch started the Golden Grizzlies strong with a first-place finish in the women’s 60-meter race with a time of 7.57 seconds. She was followed closely by Lauren Goodman, who took sixth place in the event.
Finch would quickly earn another first place in the 200-meter race. Her time of 24.66 seconds set an Oakland record. Goodman was again right on her tail, while Jaylin Washington finished 10th. It was Finch’s first time setting a school record for OU.
“I make sure I fuel properly and stay hydrated. It’s also important for me to remain in a positive mindset by constantly listening to music when leading up to the big day,” Finch said.
Abby Jackson made her presence felt in the women’s 800-meter, finishing third at 2:13.51. Graduate student Ashley Quinn came in fifth, and Karenna Duffey earned seventh.
In the men’s 5000-meter race, Wesley Hollowell came in third place. After an excellent cross-country season with the Golden Grizzlies, Hollowell ran a 14:35.17 in the race.
The men excelled in the 800-meter race, with Tyler Donovan and TJ Brooks taking the two top spots. Donovan set a school record, going 1:51.35 and placing first in the event.
“It feels super surreal because so much had to go right. It’s so rare to get a school record as a freshman, so to do it as a first race is unreal,” Donovan said.
Despite being a freshman, his competitive spirit and drive have helped him fit right in with the rest of the team.
“I’m looking to run sub-1:50 in the 800-meter and get a conference title in the 800-meter,” Donovan said on his goals for the season.
Later in the afternoon, Alex Mansfield threw a school record in shot put, tossing the 16-pound shot 17.52 meters. With so many school records being set in just the first event, it’s clear that Oakland will be achieving all season long.
It wasn’t long after Mansfield’s record that teammate Romario Jackson set his own record. Thanks to the senior, the new weight throw record for OU is 19.37 meters.
“I do a lot of meditation, oftentimes pray, and take long walks. This helps me get my mind ready for the intensity and helps me stay level,” Jackson said. “My goal for this year is to get above 21 meters, which will hopefully take me to NCAA championships. I also want to reset the Horizon League championship record.”
In the women’s weight throw, Oakland boasted two top-10 finishes. Jamie Giese took fourth, while Elizabeth Rice came in seventh.
Saginaw Valley State University
Over at Saginaw Valley, the other part of the OU track and field team was competing.
Senior Christian Collis earned a sixth-place finish in the men’s 3000-meter, while the Oakland women dominated their races. Five Golden Grizzlies finished in the top 10, led by Madalyn Agren in second at 10:51.01. Miriam Murrell and Addison Johnson came in fifth and sixth, just ahead of Emma Hoffmeyer in ninth. Mackenzie Lemke rounded it out for the Golden Grizzlies in tenth.
Finally, two Golden Grizzlies tied for fifth in the women’s pole vault. Freshman Allison Shelton went up 3.32 meters, matching senior Alexa Messina.
Overall, Oakland’s excellent start to a long season was a sign that the Golden Grizzlies will break even more records. However, the athletes aren’t satisfied, and Finch acknowledged that.
“Since I ran past my expectations, I know I need to raise the bar for myself,” Finch said. “The main goal is just improving and, in practice, ultimately getting top three or better in the conference.”