Deacons Set to Host Wake Forest Open

Jessie Merckle returns to action in the javelin this weekend

3/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field

March 19, 2015

Meet Central >> Wake Forest Open
Dates	Friday, March 20 - Saturday, March 21
Location	Winston-Salem, N.C. (Kentner Stadium) Weather \| Facility Info
Coverage	Live Results \| Twitter Updates (@WakeTrack)
Information	Free Admission \| Event Schedule (PDF)

By Josh Gresh, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeTrack)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest track and field team begins the outdoor season hosting the Wake Forest Open the weekend starting on Friday at Kentner Stadium. Events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the women's hammer throw and men's shot put in the field events and running events will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the prelims of the women's 100m hurdles.

"I am excited to be starting the outdoor season, especially at home, as this is the only opportunity our athletes have to really compete in front of family, friends, and alumni", said head coach John Millar. "The level of competition gives our athletes a good indication as to where they are at in terms of performance and is a chance to compete against athletes from schools that we do compete against very often."

The Deacons had a strong outdoor season in 2014, which included an ACC Champion and several others setting school records. Highlighting the women last season, Jessie Merckle was the ACC Champion in the javelin throw and also set a school record. Sydney White also finished a Second Team All-American in the women's pole vault while setting a school record during the season.

Highlighting the men, Charlie Ionata set a school record in the hammer throw and was the U.S. Junior National Champion. Kyle Graves set school records in the 1500m and the mile run during the 2014 outdoor season.

"Since the outdoor season includes events that are not held indoors, I am looking forward to seeing how our throwers in the javelin, hammer and discus perform, as well as how our team in general returns to competition," explained Millar.

The Deacons are coming off a strong indoor season after having six athletes earn All-ACC honors, including an ACC Championship by Nyki Caldwell in the women's high jump. Kyle Graves, John Maurins, Sydney White, Simon Holden, and Michael Cyphers were the others to earn All-ACC Honors.

The Wake Forest Open goes until Saturday afternoon. After the weekend, the Deacons will split up to compete in two meets, which include the Texas Relays and the Raleigh Relays.

Wake Forest's Competitors

Women's 100m Dash
Jordan Banks
Hunter Roberts

Women's 200m Dash
Nikolete Hurrinus
Jordan Banks
Maya Hinton
Amy Collins
Montasia Golden

Women's 400m Dash
Kathryn Lazarchick
Lara-Ann Schwede
Nikolete Hurrinus
Maya Hinton

Women's 800m Run
Kathryn Lazarchick
Lara-Ann Schwede
Natalie Sukramani

Women's 1,500m Run
Ellie Abrahamson
Cate Allen
Chandler Borton
Ashley Brubaker
Kathleen Darling
Sarah Fahmy
Samantha Jones
Gabrielle Merritt

Women's 100m Hurdles
Montasia Golden
Hunter Roberts
Amy Collins

Women's 400m Hurdles
Mia Wilson
Hunter Roberts

Women's 4 x 400m Relay
Wake Forest A (Hurrinus,Hinton,Schwede,Wilson)
Wake Forest B (Lazarchick,Sukramani,Banks,Roberts)

Women's High Jump
Nyki Caldwell
Amy Collins

Women's Pole Vault
Katie Adair
Madison Bragg
Sydney White

Women's Long Jump
Jordan Banks
Amy Collins
Montasia Golden