Borchers Sets OSU 1500m Record at Jesse Owens Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
May 1, 2015
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Senior Jackson Neff won the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase Friday evening on the opening day of competition at the 30th Jesse Owens Track & Field Classic at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
In the final race of the evening, Neff ran away from the field with a time of 8:49.61. Neff is the defending Big Ten champion in the event and owns a personal-best time of 8:45.37.
Athletes enjoyed perfect weather on the opening day of competition, with high temperatures in the low 70s, a slight breeze and sunny skies. Throwing events were contested during the day, with a distance carnival showcased in the evening.
The race of the night was the women’s 1500-meter run, which featured a stacked field. Senior Leah O’Connor of Michigan State and Ohio State senior Katie Borchers separated for the pack early and finished 1-2, with Connor cruising to a win in the fastest Division I time this season (4:11.04) and Borchers setting a new OSU school outdoor record (4:20.69). The winning time from O’Connor was also a Jesse Owens Stadium record and meet record.
Runner-up honors in the men’s shot put championship went to redshirt junior J.C. Murasky at 19.26 meters (63-2.25). Senior Carly Pendleton was fourth in the women’s discus with a mark of 47.46 meters (156-3.00), just shy of a season best.
Contending in the 5000-meter showcase, junior Minori Minagawa ran a personal-best time of 16:47.62 in the women’s race, while redshirt junior Blake Taneff finished just shy of a personal best with a time of 14:27.21 in the men’s competition.
Events resume tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET. Admission is free.
Event Winners
Men
1500m — Gregorz Kalinowski, Very Nice Track Club (3:42.45)
3000m steeplechase — Jackson Neff, Ohio State (8:49.61)
5000m — Warren Witchell, Eastern Michigan (14:21.86)
Shot Put (Championship) — Bobby Grace, unattached (19.87 meters/65-2.25)
Shot Put (Collegiate) — Travis Harris, Eastern Michigan (17.06 meters/55-11.75)
Javelin — Ethan Shalaway, Pitt (64.03 meters/210-1.00)
Discus — Reginald Jagers, Rjiii (56.89m/186-8.00)
Women
1500m — Leah O’Connor, Michigan State (Division I leading and meet-record 4:11.04)
· Meet record
· Stadium record
· Top time in Division I this season
3000m steeplechase — Abbey Kelto, Central Michigan (10:29.67)
5000m — Mackenzie Chojnacky, Toledo (16:23.31)
Javelin — Kimberley Hamilton, Nike (53.37 meters/175-1.00)
· Meet record
Discus — Katelyn Daniels, Michigan State (55.12 meters/180-10.00)
