This year’s 18th running of the Jesse Owens Track Classic came to a close on Saturday night in the rainy, uncompromising weather at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
During the two days of action that included a 35-team field of many of the nation’s premier athletes and several top-notch programs, a number of Buckeyes came away with impressive performances to keep the Ohio State tradition alive.
During Friday night’s events, junior Sjaan Gerth and sophomore Aaron Fisher both ran away from the competition in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, placing second and third behind three-time Olympian and former OSU standout Mark Croghan, who won the event with a 8:39.34.
Croghan said that he was pretty happy with his race and that he enjoys coming back to run at his former home.
“As for the meet itself and just being a former Buckeye, we would always try to pride ourselves in competing well at home. So whenever I do come back here, I still like to think that way and try to continue forth in that tradition,” Croghan said.
Gerth, who was 14 seconds behind the world-class athlete in an 8:53.68, said it is always an honor running against Croghan.
“Mark is an amazing runner, and I think it says a lot about the guy to come back each year. It is great he comes back to run alongside us, and I think a lot of guys appreciate it for what it is worth,” Gerth said.
Gerth also said overall he was pleased with his performance.
“I wasn’t feeling 100 percent going into it, so coming in second and running a personal best when not feeling well is always wonderful,” Gerth said. “I am already seven seconds faster from when I first qualified at the beginning of the season so if I can keep that same line of progress then I’m really going to be on the hunt at Big Tens.”
On Saturday, OSU men’s and women’s hurdle squads proved to be a strong force as three athletes scored a regional qualifier in their events.
Senior Molly Logan took first in the 100-meter hurdles with a 13.42, while junior teammate Brandi Hogan fell just behind her with a 13.65 to claim third.
On the men’s side, senior Joel Brown claimed first with a 13.98 as he leaned out Central State’s Ricardo Melbourne by .04 seconds.
He said despite the weather, he couldn’t complain too much about the come-from-behind victory in the hurdles.
“It wasn’t the best race I’ve had in the past, but I am taking what I can get. I was happy with the end part of the race, however, because it kind of shows me something for later on,” Brown said.
Brown also played an integral part as the anchor of the winning 4×100 meter relay team that edged out Central Michigan’s Dana Thomas by a photo-finished .02 seconds.
In the shot put, junior Dan Taylor once again scored his second OSU record in as many days with a 67-0.75 effort to win.
On Friday, he put forth another record-setting effort in the hammer throw with a 211-4 but placed second behind professional athlete Derek Woodske (229-2). Later on Saturday, Taylor added a 177-7 winning performance in the discus as well.
In the women’s throwing events, OSU earned two more regional qualifiers as senior Krista Keir took first place in the women’s discus, barely edging out freshman Amarachi Ukabam. Keir later qualified in the women’s shot put with a third-place toss.
OSU sophomore Keturah Lofton took third in the hammer throw with a regional qualifier toss of 191-4, while Ukabam posted a regional qualifier as well with a 176-11.
In the jumps, senior Tami Smith took second place in the women’s high, while junior Billy Mills also took second on the men’s side.
In other distance events, OSU senior Derek Butler claimed second in the men’s 5,000 on Friday, as he regionally qualified with a 14:21.92. Buckeye sophomore Stephanie Ray claimed first place with in the women’s 800-meter open competition with a 2:15.52.
Teams will be back in action on Saturday, May 10 for the last regular season meet in the Billy Hayes Invitational at Indiana University and will return to OSU on May 30-31 to host the NCAA Mideast Regionals.
