Feb. 17, 2008

Merrill Breaks Shot Put Record at Baldwin-Wallace

    Berea, Ohio -- Junior Aaron Merrill broke his own school record in the shot put and established a personal-best mark in the weight throw at the Baldwin-Wallace Mid-February Meet.
    Merrill heaved the shot 54-10 to win by more than 4 1/2 feet, and his first-place mark of 54-0 in the weight throw ranks him fifth in school history.
    Merrill's wins were two of 14 victories for the Penguins at the meet as they near the Horizon League Championships in two weeks.
    YSU had the top three finishers in both throwing events as John Pallini was second in the shot put (50-2) and Jeremiah Folger was third (49-11 1/4). Dom DeFilippo placed second in the weight throw (52-6) while Folger added another third-place effort (49-11). Both of Folger's marks were personal-bests.
    The throwers on the women's team nearly matched sweep by claiming the top three spots in the shot put and three of the top four in the weight throw.
    Danielle Curry won the shot put (42-11 1/2) ahead of Bethany Anderson (42-3 1/2) and Tyshaune Toney (39-10). Anderson took the top spot in the weight throw (57-9 3/4) while Curry (54-8 3/4) and Alexis Hall (53-10 1/2) finished third and fourth with personal-best marks.
    Also picking up wins for the men, Michael Perri won the 500m (1:07.47), R.D. Goodright won the 3,000m (8:54.58) Jerrill Hall was the top finisher in the high jump (6-4) and Johnny Copley won the pole vault (14-5 1/4).
    The women's team picked up victories in three sprinting events as Katie Betts won the 200m (25.93), Kari Kreutzfeld won the 300m (41.17) and Emily Wollet took the top spot in the 400m (59.15). Yandeh Joh won the 55m hurdles (8.32), Lisa Lee won the 1,000m (3:10.56) and Stephanie Jarvis won the pole vault (10-11 3/4).
    The Penguins will compete at the Kent State Tune-Up on Saturday at 9 a.m.