The Collegian

Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports

Senior Jazmin wiliams dominates the 400-meter hurdles at the Miami University Invitational last weekend. Williams is ranked No. 5 in the nation and No. 1 in the GLIAC.

Junior Alex Ralston runs with a pack in the men's 1500 meter at the Miami University Invitational this past weekend.

Senior Jazmin Williams led the women's outdoor track and field team to a 17th place ranking in Division II this past weekend with a first place finish at Miami (Ohio) University Invitational in the 400-meter hurdles, shaving more than a second off the Hillsdale College record she broke last week.

Her first record-breaking performance at Purdue University two weekends ago shattered a ten-year-old school record and earned her the GLIAC Womens Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week award.

"I'm honored, but I don't want [the award] to get in my way," Williams said. "My goal is to break 60 seconds. Hopefully I'll do that at nationals."

Williams also anchored two relay teams, the third-place 4x100-meter and the second-place 4x400m relays. These finishes earned critical points for the team's national ranking that came out April 8.

Williams' performance helps instill confidence in the team as they steam into Ypsilanti, Mich., this Saturday for the Eastern Michigan University Team Twilight Meet. This gives them one last shot at Division I talent before their stretch of three home meets with the Gina Relays, GLIAC Championship and the Charger Classic.

Not to be outdone, junior Aaron Falk and senior Andrew Dodson heaved and jumped the men's squad to a No. 20 national ranking, as they both scored first place finishes in the hammer throw and high jump respectively.

Falk's domination of the hammer throw among Division I talent took a slight dip this past weekend, compared to his automatic qualifying toss at Purdue.

"I was a bit disappointed, but I still got first," said Falk, humbly walking in between classes Tuesday afternoon.

Falk said he tries to keep a level head and stay focused, so when the time comes he can get it done when it matters most.

Junior captain Jared Krout also scored well for the Chargers, taking second in the long jump and helping his 4x100m relay team compete with Williams' - they took second.

Freshman Michael Yassay matched his best jump of the year finishing second, sandwiched between two D-I athletes from Miami (Ohio). Head coach Bill Lundberg said he is excited about Yassay's performances and said he has a lot of potential to score more for the Chargers in the coming meets.

The Chargers have a lot of potential on their squad and a few athletes to watch for in the coming weeks and years are Krout and sophomore Marta Scheiwe.

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