Shot Put, Pole Vault Lead Big Efforts on Opening Day of Indiana Invitational

Friday, April 21

Bloomington, Ind.

ALL DAY

Indiana University

Indiana Invitational

Shot Put, Pole Vault Lead Big Efforts on Opening Day of Indiana Invitational

4/21/2023 11:00:00 PM | Track and Field

Results (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Despite being forced to move indoors due to weather, Jessica Mercier made the most of the opportunity, clearing 4.14m/13-7 in the pole vault to move into seventh in program history.

It was her first time clearing four meters since jumping 4.19m/13-9 at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in February. She improves greatly on her outdoor season's best of 3.90m/12-9.5 from last week in Louisville.

Nathan Stone followed her efforts by clearing 5.49m/18-0 in a battle with Michigan State's Trevor Stephenson, the current Big Ten leader. Stone's marks sits No. 16 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, just short of his personal best at 5.50m/18-0.5.

Noah Koch threw the shot put for the first time in three weeks, recording a personal best of 18.36m/60-3. His efforts made him just the sixth 60-foot shot putter outdoors in program history and just one of two Hoosiers in program history to throw 182 feet in the discus and 60 feet in the shot put.

He moves into No. 6 in program history in the shot put and already sits No. 7 in program history in the discus in his debut season for IU.

Jayden Ulrich returned to competition after a weekend off, throwing 16.78m/55-0.75 on Friday evening. Makayla Hunter followed with a mark of 14.92m/48-11.5 while Emily Herndon tossed a personal best of 14.22m/46-8.

Alyssa Robinson and Antonio Laidler were victorious across 200 meters to open Friday's festivities in Bloomington. Laidler ran a season's best 21.05 to win the men's section while Robinson crossed the line in 24.15 to lead the women.

Shaton Vaughn led four Hoosiers under 54 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing in 52.67. Micah Camble came across in 53.01 with David Olowookere (53.64) and John Colquitt (53.85) all among the top-six competitors.

A pair of Carmel, Ind. natives, Keelan Grant and Phoebe Bates, each ran personal bests across 1500 meters, stopping the clock in 3:50.79 and 4:32.79 respectively.

Bates lowered her lifetime best by over seven seconds while Grant has seen his season progression drop from 4:00.86 to 3:50.79 in the span of two weeks.

Tori Schmidt continues to run well for the Hoosiers, throwing down a personal best for the second-consecutive week. Paced by Claire Overfelt, Schmidt lowered her lifetime best by eight seconds across 5000 meters in 17:21.04.

Robert Blue was victorious in the long jump once again, recording a mark of 7.21m/23-8 on Friday night.

The Hoosiers continue action at home tomorrow with featured events in the 800 meters, discus and triple jump.

Indiana Invitational: April 21st
Event	Athletes: Mark
Hammer Throw (M)	14. Hunter Smith: 49.32m/161-10 \| Personal Best
Pole Vault (W)	5. Jessica Mercier: 4.14m/13-6.75 \| No. 7 School History
Pole Vault (M)	1. Nathan Stone: 5.49m/18-0 4. Tyler Carrel: 5.19m/17-0.25 6. Riley Johnston: 5.09m/16-8.25 9. Tyler Sierks: 4.79/15-8.5
Long Jump (W)	3. Serena Bolden: 5.77m/18-11.25 8. Kelly Moran: 5.53m/18-1.75
Long Jump (M)	1. Robert Blue: 7.21m/23-8
Shot Put (W)	3. Jayden Ulrich: 16.78m/55-0.75 5. Makayla Hunter: 14.92m/48-11.5 6. Emily Herndon: 14.22m/46-8 \| Personal Best
Shot Put (M)	1. Noah Koch: 18.36m/60-3 \| Personal Best, No. 6 School History 10. Adam Strouf: 15.09m/49-6.25
200 Meters (W)	1. Alyssa Robinson: 24.15 12. Olivia Gee: 25.40 17. Lauren Thomas: 25.80 \| Personal Best 21. Kaylee Lane: 26.40
200 Meters (M)	1. Antonio Laidler: 21.05 6. Trelee Banks: 21.83 15. Gage Pratt: 22.64 \| Personal Best 16. Jaylen Grimes: 22.69 \| Personal Best
400mH (M)	1. Shaton Vaughn: 52.67 4. Micah Camble: 53.01 6. David Olowookere: 53.64 7. John Colquitt: 53.85
3000 Meters (M)	2. Skylar Stidam: 8:26.58
1500 Meters (W)	6. Jenna Barker: 4:29.60 10. Phoebe Bates: 4:32.79 \| Personal Best 13. Alyssa Skorge: 4:35.06 25. Audrey Mendrys: 4:51.80 27. Mikaela Ramirez: 4:52.75
1500 Meters (M)	6. Dustin Horter: 3:50.25 8. Keelan Grant: 3:50.79 \| Personal Best 24. Nico Colchico: 4:05.90
5000 Meters (W)	15. Tori Schmidt: 17:21.04 \| Personal Best
5000 Meters (M)	9. Abe Eckman: 14:19.79 \| Personal Best