Red Wolves Decathletes Shine To Conclude Ole Miss Invite

Courtesy Arkansas State University Athletics Department

OXFORD, Miss. (4/14/13) – The Arkansas State University track and field team capped off a productive two-day performance at the non-scoring 2013 Ole Miss Invitational in Oxford, Miss., this Sunday (April 14) with a pair of top four-place efforts in the men’s decathlon and a personal career-best outing in the women’s heptathlon.

The Red Wolves had all three of their decathletes finish eighth place or higher at the University of Mississippi’s Track and Field Complex. Junior Will Oliver lead Arkansas State with 6,831 points and garnered third place overall. Oliver led A-State in both the pole vault at 14-03.26 (43.79m) and in the javelin with a 143-08.01 (43.79m) effort. Senior Ethan Turpen finished one place in back of Oliver with a fourth-place 6,748 points, which featured leading the Red Wolves in the 110-meter hurdles with a 15.19 time and clocked a 4:34.98 time in the 1,500-meter run. Oliver’s points total represents the highest in the Sun Belt Conference this outdoor season while Turpen’s points output is second best among the conference’s leaders. Junior Thomas Ligon, who paced ASU in the discus, amassed 5,854 points to earn eighth place among the 12 individuals who tallied a points total.

Sophomore Savannah Hutchinson’s 4,572 points in the women’s heptathlon proved deserving of a team-best seventh-place showing. Hutchinson, who turned in the Red Wolves’ top effort in the long jump at 18-03.69 (5.58m), also is the second-highest points total in the Sun Belt Conference this outdoor season to date.

Freshman Macey Rodely produced 4,033 points to claim 11th place, which was highlighted by top team performances in the javelin at 111-07.76 (34.03m) and in the 800-meter run by posting a 2:33.08 time. Frosh Jessica Maggio registered a 12th-place 3,958 points and junior Jessica Otto chalked up 3,684 points to claim 15th place.

“I thought our multi eventers had a solid weekend,” said ASU head coach Jim Patchell. “Savannah (Hutchinson) had a personal best and I believe Wil (Oliver) and Ethan (Turpen) were right at theirs. I think we are looking good in that area and should be a good event for us next month at the conference meet. 

Arkansas State will participate in the Vanderbilt Invitational next weekend, April 19-20, at the Vanderbilt Track and Field Complex in Nashville, Tenn. The Red Wolves then host the second annual Red Wolf Open on Saturday, April 27, at the ASU Track and Field Complex in Jonesboro, Ark.

2013 Ole Miss Invitational

Women’s Results

Heptathlon – Overall

7. Savannah Hutchinson, 4,572 points 

11. Macey Rodely, 4,033 points

12. Jessica Maggio, 3,958 points

15. Jessica Otto, 3,684 points

Heptathlon – Long Jump

Savannah Hutchinson, 18-03.69 (5.58m)

Jessica Maggio, 16-00.51 (4.89m)

Jessica Otto, 14-06.40 (4.43m)

Macey Rodely, 14-01.29 (4.30m)

Heptathlon – Javelin

Macey Rodely, 111-07.76 (34.03m)

Savannah Hutchinson, 79-09.09 (24.31m)

Jessica Otto, 78-01.01 (23.80m)

Jessica Maggio, 67-02.69 (20.49m)

Heptathlon – 800-Meter Run

Macey Rodely, 2:33.08

Jessica Maggio, 2:34.14

Savannah Hutchinson, 2:34.20 

Jessica Otto, 2:53.50

Men’s Results

Decathlon – Overall

3. Will Oliver, 6,831 points

4. Ethan Turpen, 6,748 points

8. Thomas Ligon, 5,854 points

Decathlon – 110-Meter Hurdles

Ethan Turpen, 15.19

Will Oliver, 15.69

Thomas Ligon, DQ

Decathlon – Discus

Thomas Ligon, 143-09.98 (43.84m)

Will Oliver, 124-00.96 (37.82m)

Ethan Turpen, 97-00.17 (29.57m)

Decathlon – Javelin

Will Oliver, 143-08.01 (43.79m)

Ethan Turpen, 137-06.39 (41.92m)

Decathlon – Pole Vault

Will Oliver, 14-03.26 (4.35m)

Ethan Turpen, 13-07.39 (4.15m)

Thomas Ligon, 13-03.45 (4.05m)

Decathlon – 1,500-Meter Run

Ethan Turpen, 4:34.98

Will Oliver, 4:59.14

Thomas Ligon, 5:03.64