The Blitz: Feb. 15, 2017

Track and field

Oakland’s track teams competed against several opponents in a variety of events over the weekend.

The Golden Grizzlies’ first matchup came on the road when they faced Grand Valley State University on Saturday, Feb. 10 during the Big Meet.

Brandon Davis secured first place in the long jump with a distance of 23 feet and 6.5 inches, while Corey Goodloe broke his own school record and placed fifth in the 400m with a time of 48.46.

Representing the women’s team, Kendell Jefferson’s 7.70 performance in the 60m earned her fifth place. Whitney Mergens recorded a 5-foot-and-1-inch jump that earned her eighth place.

As a whole, the men’s team concluded the Big Meet with 21 points, enough for seventh place, while the women’s team finished with a total of four points, standing at 25th place.

As the showdown at GVSU unfolded, Oakland also had runners participating in the David Hemery Invite at Boston University.

Ashley Burr and Rachel Levy both ran the mile for Oakland, ending the event with times of 4:57.29 and 4:58.50, respectively. The results earned the athletes 27th and 31st place.

Bryce Stroede also ran the mile, shattering his own school record with a time of 4:04.73 and earning himself ninth place.

Oakland track and field’s success on the road continued to accumulate as they traveled to Tiffin, Ohio, for the Dragon Invite on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Leading the 400m for the Golden Grizzlies, Chanel Gardner took first with her time of 59.41. Dana Tessmer and Kailey Weingartz furthered the women’s success.

Tessmer closed out the pole vault with a height of 11 feet and 9.75 inches, earning her second place, while Weingartz’s time of 10:43.6 gave her second place in the 3000m.

Brandon Davis walked away with second place in the triple jump with 44 feet and 10.25 inches.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, Oakland track and field travel to Hillsdale, Michigan, for the Tune Up.

Women’s tennis

With its season in full swing, Oakland women’s tennis hoped to clinch its first win of the season during the dual match against Morgan State and Akron on Saturday, Feb. 11.

The Golden Grizzlies did just that as they conquered Morgan State 4-3.

Pivotal to the team’s success, Samantha Galloway contributed two singles and a double while Amanda Nilsson grabbed two doubles and a single for Oakland.

Despite the success, the victory was short lived, as Oakland later fell to Akron 6-1.

Looking to move forward, Oakland women’s tennis next plays Wednesday, Feb. 22, when they face Stetson in DeLand, Florida.

Hockey

In a cross-town rivalry, the men’s Division I club hockey team faced off against Rochester College in the Jug of Rochester Hills matchup this weekend.

Oakland, which is 6-7-0 against Rochester all-time, trailed 2-0 in the series before Friday’s game.

Ultimately, Oakland succumbed to Rochester.

Corey Hagood, assistant general manager to the team, recorded his 450th game with the Golden Grizzlies on Friday night. This season marks the tenth year Hagood has worked with the program.

Oakland hockey will play again at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, when they travel to Western Michigan to take on the Broncos.

Women’s Golf