ALLENDALE, MICH.-- Several personal-bests and a first-place finish highlighted the performance of the Trine men's track and field team in the Al Owens Invitational, held Friday and Saturday at GVSU Track and Field Stadium.
The event featured performers from 27 schools representing all NCAA Divisions as well as junior college and NAIA. Tyler Bourdo (Plainwell, Mich./Delton-Kellogg) won the 400 Meter Dash with a time of 48.53 seconds. He fended off a tough challenge from second-place finisher Isaac Pringle of Northern Michigan, finishing .04 seconds ahead. Bourdo added a fourth-place finish in the 200 Meter Dash, finishing with a time of 22.36 seconds. He finished ahead of numerous Division II runners in both events.
Nate Smoker turned in the only other top-10 finish for Trine in track events. Smoker ran a time of 51.06 seconds in the 400 Meter Dash to finish ninth in the event.
Dakota Bagwell (Kokomo, Ind./Western) continued his strong work in the Hammer Throw. The reigning MIAA Field Athlete of the Week dropped a throw of 150 feet, three inches to place ninth in the event.
Derek Scott (Niles, Mich./Niles) set a new personal-record in the Shot Put. His throw of 42 feet, 8.75 inches was good enough for 10th overall.
Sam Gilly (St. Joseph, Ill./St. Joseph-Ogden) set a new best for this season with a throw of 134 feet, 2 inches in the Discus. Gilly's throw placed him 14th in the event.
Kyle Gater (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) turned in an impressive performance in the 1500 Meter Run, finishing in 4:20.
The Trine track and field teams return to action next Friday, Apr. 25 at the Hillsdale Gina Relays.