Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: photos courtesy Carla Wehmeyer Sara Thurber leaps during the women's 100-meter hurdles at the Wendy's/PSU Open. Thurber took first place in the event, besting her competition with a time of 14.85 seconds.

Media Credit: photos courtesy Carla Wehmeyer David Cox makes a splash during the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Saturday, March 22. Cox won the event with a time of 9:46.11.

The Pitt State women's and men's track teams opened their outdoor seasons last Saturday with the Wendy's/PSU Open, held at Pittsburg's own Prentice Gudgen Track. The meet was held during Pittsburg's spring break, so finding schools to compete was a challenge. Some schools that were able to attend included Allen Community College, Drury University and Fort Scott Community College.

"There was not a lot of great competition," said head coach Russ Jewett. "But I thought we did very well."

On the men's team, freshman Michael Beeler took first in javelin with a 60.79-meter throw, and freshman Brad Jochems took first in the 5,000-meter run at 15:33.24. Sophomore Mujahi "MJ" Hassabella completed the 1,500-meter run at 3:58.24, for an all-time best.

Sophomore Megan Ballock finished the 1,500-meter run at 4:55.45 and sophomore Katie Robben completed the 400-meter dash at 59.75, earning two first-place finishes for the women's team. Three Pitt State women won the 5,000-meter run, with freshman Brittany Graff taking the lead and finishing at 18:42.22. Senior Lucinda Fortney finished right behind at 18:42.96, and senior Julie Jones took third at 18:52.75.

The PSU Open marked the first meet for Pitt State's outdoor track season.
"I definitely prefer outdoor," said Jewett. "It's so boring indoors with no wind or rain or sun."

There are several differences between indoor and outdoor track, including the major fact that the indoor track is smaller. Also, discus and javelin are not included in the indoor competitions, and many events are solely indoor or solely outdoor.

"Outdoor is really our bag," said Jewett.
The track team will travel to Arlington, Texas, this weekend to compete in the Arlington Invitational on Saturday, March 29.

"It will be a totally different scenario than our meet at home, since there was not much competition," said Jewett.

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