KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Taylor Head and Katy Rutz headlined the Indiana State effort on the opening day of the Jesse Owens Track Classic Friday with Head placing second in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and Rutz sixth in the women's shot put.

Head ran a career best 9:11.17 to place second in the 3,000 meter steeplechase which was won by Michigan State's Ben Miller in 9:06.82. Gabe Occasion placed 11th (9:59.46).

Rutz who broke into the top 10 of the Indiana State All-Time Discus marks as she posted a distance of 153'-6” (46.79m) on her second throw of the competition. That throw is 10th best all-time as Rutz passed Beth Hilton who had her best distance of 152'-8” (46.54m) in 2002.

Also on the track for the men Friday, Dustin Betz ran a career best 3:52.44 in placing ninth overall (seventh collegian) in the 1500 meters with Corey Hahn finishing in 17th (3:48.90). Bryan Horsman also ran a personal best in the 5,000 meters as he finished in 15:40.04 (34th overall).

Two track events were held on the women's side Friday with Leeann Michl finishing 13th in the 1500 meters (4:38.49) and Kalli Dalton 18th (4”41.46). Hanna Mercer was 10th in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (11:11.44).

Two field events were conducted on the men's side with the Sycamores placing two in the top eight of the javelin throw and both with career best efforts. Brenner Stage had a throw of 171'-11” (52.40m) to place sixth overall with Austin Schulthies seventh at 170'-3” (51.90m).

A full day of action is scheduled for Saturday starting at 10 a.m. (ET) with the men's pole vault. Action on the track begins at 12 noon (ET) with the women's 4x100 meter relay. Competition is expected to wrap up with the men's 4x400 meter relay at 4:40 p.m. (ET).