MIDLAND, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's and women's track and field teams competed in the Northwood Open today (April 13) as they battled the cold winds along with multiple encounters with sleet and snow. Overall, SVSU earned ten first place finishers and a number of runner-up performances.

Women

In the 200 meter dash, freshman Yanisha Edwards (Flint, Mich. / Northwestern) earned top honors with a mark of 25.36 seconds, while teammate Diamond Taylor (Southfield, Mich.) finished runner-up in the race.

Senior Ashley Meyer (Shepherd, Mich.) recorded a first place finish in the 800 meter run after crossing the line in 2:15.64 to take the victory by over seven seconds.

The SVSU women's 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams both earned top finishes in their respective events. The 4x100 team consisting of Elizabeth Sampson (Willis, Mich. / Lincoln), Taylor, Shavonne Roberson (Ypsilanti, Mich) and Kim Balls (Bridgeport, Mich.) posted a mark of 48.93 seconds, while the 4x400 squad of Balls, Edwards, Paige Stepanski (Alpena, Mich.) and Sidney Bischer (Avoca, Mich. / Yale) crossed the line in 4:08.72.

Lauren Little (Oak Park, Mich. / Berkley) also earned the first place prize with a distance of 34-feet-3 1/2 inches in the triple jump competition.

Sophomore Emily Short (Tawas, Mich. / Tawas Area) posted a runner-up finish in the 1500 meter distance race clocking in at a time of 4:41.10. Tori Peet (Lapeer, Mich. / West) also finished in second place in the 5000 meter race at 18:22.15.

Anna Fochesato (Holly, Mich. / Brandon) also finished in first as the only competitor to register a height (5-feet-1 inch) in the women's high jump.

Men

Senior David Ray (Lansing, Mich. / Eastern) led the way for the Cardinals with first place finishes in both the 110 meter hurdles and 400 meter hurdles competitions. Ray posted a time of 14.49 seconds in the 110 meter race, while posting a mark of a 55.41 in the 400 meter.

In the 800 meter run, Josh Arnold (Clio, Mich.) and Travis Toye (Davison, Mich.) finished in the top two positions, respectively, as Arnold took the prize with a mark of 1:54.23 in the blustery conditions.

Junior Raetron Bryant (Burton, Mich. / Atherton) also took top honors in the triple jump competition with a distance of 43-feet-10 inches.

Eric Spitz (Holt, Mich.) recorded a second place finish in the 5000 meter distance competition as he completed the race in 15:09.11. Senior Tyler Grob (Pinckney, Mich.) also finished runner-up in the long jump with a distance of 20-feet-3 3/4 inches.

The SVSU track and field teams will now head off to the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif. to be held April 18-20.