OWENSBORO, Kentucky - The Great Midwest Outdoor Track & Field Championships trophies went to the Findlay men and Hillsdale women on Friday, as Findlay finished its wire-to-wire win on the men's side and the HC women sprinted past the competition over the event's last few hours.
Findlay's men's program won the G-MAC title for the first time after a runner-up finish last year. UF finished with 183 points ahead of runner-up Ashland (130.5). Hillsdale, fifth in the standings on Friday morning, ended up in first place for the second time in its G-MAC history by edging runner-up Findlay in an exciting finish. Hillsdale last won the women's title in 2018.
- Findlay only had three Oilers stand on the podium on Friday, highlighted by Noah Fisher and Jordan Foster going 1-2 in the 5,000m. Findlay showed impressive overall depth, and pulled ahead on the strength of runner-up individual performances across the board. The Oilers placed second in nine different events, including going 1-2 in the 5K and triple jump.
- Hillsdale scored 141.67 points on Friday in an impressive climb to the title. HC trailed UF by 29.5 points heading into the final day but passed them by a 49.17-point margin. In the final seven events of the meet, Hillsdale put six individuals and the 4x400 relay on the podium.
- Findlay's Hannah Thompson won the 5,000m run on Friday by nine seconds after winning the 10,000m run on Wednesday...by nine seconds.
- Walsh's Alexa Leppelmeier won the steeplechase and the 1,500m run and Findlay's Simone Green won the long jump and triple jump to join Thompson as multi-event champions.
- Findlay's Fisher was the only men's athlete to win two individual titles, crossing first in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.
In the next week, Great Midwest track & field coaches will jockey for position at a last chance meet to improve their athletes' chances at the upcoming national championships. The NCAA meet will run May 26-28 at Grand Valley State's stadium in Michigan.
Findlay - 2022 Great Midwest Men's Outdoor Track & Field Champions
2022 GREAT MIDWEST OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD AWARD WINNERS
Men's Track Athlete of the Meet (2 winners) - Sean Fagan, HC and Aaron Banks, AU
Men's Field Athlete of the Meet - Austin Combs, Findlay
Men's Freshman of the Meet - Gabriel Clement, Findlay
MEN'S FINAL STANDINGS
1. Findlay - 183
2. Ashland - 130.5
3. Hillsdale - 126
4. TIffin - 123
5. Walsh - 105
6. Cedarville - 79.5
7. Lake Erie - 30
8. Trevecca Nazarene - 16
9. Malone - 12
10. Kentucky Wesleyan - 7
11. Ohio Dominican - 5
MEN'S INDIVIDUAL POINTS LEADERS
1. Sean Fagan, HC - 20.5
Aaron Banks, AU - 20.5
3. Noah Fisher, UF - 20
4. Austin Combs, UF - 18
Nathaniel Ondracek, TU - 18
6. Malachia Adams, TU - 17.5
2022 GREAT MIDWEST OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD AWARD WINNERS
Women's Track Athlete of the Meet - Rajiah Andrews, Tiffin
Field Athlete of the Meet - Ndidiamaka Anaraodo, Walsh
Freshman of the Meet - Elizabeth Wamsley, Hillsdale
WOMEN'S FINAL STANDINGS
1. Hillsdale - 179.67
2. Findlay - 160
3. Ashland - 118
4. Tiffin - 109.83
5. Cedarville - 102.5
6. Walsh - 89
7. Ursuline - 34
8. Malone - 11
9. Kentucky Wesleyan - 8
10. Lake Erie - 5
11. Trevecca Nazarene - 1
12. Ohio Dominican - 1
WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL POINTS LEADERS
1. Ndidiamaka Anaraodo, Walsh - 22
2. Rajiah Andrews, TU - 21.25
3. Alexa Leppelmeier, Walsh - 20
Simone Green, Findlay - 20
Hannah Thompson, Findlay - 20
6. Zalonya Eby, Hillsdale - 17.5