Buffs Open Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge In Tempe

TEMPE, Ariz. — The University of Colorado track and field team opened the Pac-12+/Big Ten Challenge with the Buffs competing in the hammer throw and javelin events Friday evening at Arizona State's Sun Angel Stadium.

Junior Elisa Grandemange placed ninth in the women's hammer, recording a throw of 173-11 (53.02), and was CU's top finisher of the day. She also placed highest of the four Buff women competing in the javelin thrown in 11th and was able to set a new personal best in the event.

This is the fourth year the Pac-12+/Big Ten Challenge has been in existence, but first time Colorado has competed in the meet.

"Our sport is different than almost any other sport in that we commonly don't compete as one big group," Colorado head coach Mark Wetmore said. "What we are doing this weekend traveling the sprinters and hurdlers, throwers, jumpers and distance runners all together is rare for us. It only happens once or twice a season before the conference championship, so this is a new meet to us. It's a new opportunity to travel and compete as one big group and we are hoping that not only will it produce useful, progressive performances, but also it will bring the team a little tighter together."

WOMEN'S HAMMER THROW: Grandemange and senior Mariah Walker were the two Buffs among the 11 competitors in the event. Grandemange placed ninth with her top throw of 173-11 (53.02) that was just one and three-quarters of an inch off the mark she recorded last weekend at the Jerry Quiller Classic.

Walker, who finished 11th, saw her longest throw land at 130-11 (39.90).

MEN'S HAMMER THROW: Senior Matthew Denton led the way for the Buffaloes in the men's hammer placing ninth with a throw of 175-11 (53.56) on his first attempt. The four remaining Buffs - junior Austin Swanson, senior Grayson Webber, sophomore Caleb Penner and freshman Brock Knechtel - followed at 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th, respectively. Swanson recorded a throw of 158-9 (48.40) on his first attempt; Webber notched a 157-6 (48.02) on his third attempt; Penner put in a performance of 155-4 (47.36); and Knechtel's longest throw was on his first attempt at 143-11 (43.88).

WOMEN'S JAVELIN: Grandemange's personal-best throw of 134-10 (41.10) led her to an 11th-place finish and was four-feet, seven-inches further than her previous personal best that she set last season.

Michaela Wenning came in 17th for CU, Maja Wichhart-Donzo 18th and Drianna Mustin 19th. Wenning and Mustin all beat their top mark in the event this season in what is the second outdoor meet.

MEN'S JAVELIN: Colorado sophomore Aaron Carmichael threw 143-08 (43.80), beating his top javelin mark from last weekend's Jerry Quiller Classic by over 14 feet. He placed 11th in the event while senior Andrew Ghizzone was 12th with his top mark, which came on his second throw, being 135-03 (41.22).

QUOTEABLE
Head Coach Mark Wetmore
On Friday's opening-day action
"We had the javelin and hammer today and some decent early season marks, but from the results I've seen nothing earth shattering. There was a big mark in the javelin for Elisa Grandemange, that was a big personal best for her."

On what to look for Saturday with the bulk of the events taking place
"We are looking for a progression towards the later season, most important meets, the Pac-12 and then the NCAA rounds, so we'd like to see our marks getting better week-by-week. Aaron (Carmichael) is an example of that. I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the weekend out of this warm weather and such a strong sprint and hurdle and jump competition that we end up with some NCAA regional qualifying marks."

2018 PAC-12+/BIG TEN CHALLENGE
March 23, 2018 | Sun Angel Stadium

WOMEN'S HAMMER THROW
1. Maggie Ewen (ASU) 237-1 (72.28); Other CU Finishers: 9. Elisa Grandemange 173-11 (53.02); 11. Mariah Walker 130-11 (39.90)

MEN'S HAMMER THROW
1. Jake Norris (LSU) 238-6 (72.70); Other CU Finishers: 9. Matthew Denton 175-8 (53.56); 10. Austin Swanson 158-9 (48.40); 11. Grayson Webber 157-6 (48.02); 12. Caleb Penner 155-4 (47.36); 14. Brock Knechtel 143-11 (43.88)

WOMEN'S JAVELIN
1. Brittni Wolczyk (NU) 170-1 (51.86); Other CU Finishers: 11. Elisa Grandemange 134-10 (41.10); 17. Michaela Wenning 102-11 (31.38); 18. Maja Wichhart-Donzo 88-2 (26.88); 19. Drianna Mustin 86-5 (26.36)

MEN'S JAVELIN
1. Michael Biddle (PSU) 233-7 (71.20); Other CU Finishers: 11. Aaron Carmichael 143-8 (43.80); 12. Andrew Ghizzone 135-3 (41.22)

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Aaron Carmichael

Matthew Denton

Andrew Ghizzone

Elisa Grandemange

Brock Knechtel

Drianna Mustin

Caleb Penner

Austin Swanson

Mariah Walker

Grayson Webber

Michaela Wenning

Maja Wichhart-Donzo