Conger Runs Blazing 800 Meters As Falcons Compete At Eastern Michigan

YPSILANTI, Mich. (BGSUFalcons.com) – Despite enduring rain and wind conditions that caused several delays, the Bowling Green State University track and field team featured several notable performances on the first day of the Eastern Michigan University Twilight meet.

The meet, which features over 20 teams including Michigan and Michigan State, began on Friday (April 22) at EMU's Rynearson Stadium and Olds-Marshall Track.

One of the Falcons' primary highlights was Heather Conger's time in the 800 meter race. Conger set a personal record and posted BGSU's best 800 meter time in 20 years by crossing the finish line in 2:11.01. The time is fifth-best in Bowling Green history.

The best finish, by place, for the Orange and Brown occurred in the unseeded 5000 meter event. Taylor Stichter won in 18:51.24, finishing two seconds ahead of her closest competition. A Falcon also placed as a runner-up in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Nicole Farr, running unattached, posted a time of 10:49.71.

Carly Wells was the fastest of eight Falcons competing in the 1500 meters. Wells' time (4:38.43) earned eighth place. Seniors Autumn Dettmann and Barbara Powers each posted top-20 times, as well. Dettmann finished in 4:42.14, while Powers' mark was 4:46.72.

Meanwhile, the Falcon throwing team had another successful outing. In the preliminary round of the hammer throw, Jessie Rowland finished first overall with a toss of 57.58 meters – a mark that almost eclipsed the personal record she set last weekend.   Brooke Pleger (48.97m) and Ashley Harris (46.20m) also qualified, in fourth and eighth place, respectively.

Harris and Rowland also qualified for the finals in the shot put. Harris' throw traveled 13.76 meters for fourth place, while Rowland earned sixth place on the back of a 12.93 meter toss.

Darlene Anderson completed the day of competition for the Falcons by running the 400 meter hurdles in 1:08.88.

Complete results from the first day can be found HERE.

Saturday's action will include more throws, as well as the three different jumps, in field events. Track events include the sprints and both relays.