FINAL RESULTS

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- In a battle for state supremacy, the Western Michigan track & field team finished second to No. 3 Michigan at the Michigan Intercollegiates on Saturday afternoon at Eastern Michigan University.

The Broncos finished the two-day competition with 122.50 points, beating out Central Michigan (106.50), Eastern Michigan (47.50), Oakland University (23) and Detroit-Mercy (nine).

"We had a lot to be proud of today with a lot of great efforts," said head coach Kelly Lycan.

Irene COoper picked up where she left off last week, winning the weight throw for the fourth time this season. Cooper threw 61 feet, 1.25 inches to remain undefeated in the event so far through four meets this season. Cooper also took second place in the shot put, throwing a distance of 44 feet, 3.25 inches with sophomore Stephanie Mitchell right behind her in third place throwing 43 feet, 1.75 inches.

Sophomore sprinter Victoria Chatman was involved with Western Michigan's other first place finishes, taking first place in the 400 meter dash and helping the Broncos secure a win in the 4x400 meter relay. Chatman beat out Michigan's Shana Vinson in the final straight away to secure the victory with a time of 56.32 seconds.

"Victoria ran a really good race," said Lycan. "She made a really strong move in the first lap to get the inside position and it is what won the race for her. On a 200 meter track strategy is very important and she did a great job with it."

The Broncos saw many season improvements in the distants events on Saturday with Brittni Hutton finishing in third place in the 5,000 meter run. Hutton's time of 17:55.55 was a personal best for her and the first time breaking the 18:00 mark of her career.

Senior Jennifer Roberts also set a personal record in her fourth place finish in the 3,000 meter run, as did senior Jenny Friday.

"It is really nice to see our distance crew improving," commented Lycan. "Their performance is going to be important down the stretch. Coach Yosten is doing a fantastic job with these runners."

Western Michigan also saw improvements in the 60 meter dash with Stephanie Okolo taking fourth place and Ashley Hunault taking fifth. Okolo finished with a time of 7.84 seconds and Hunault finished at 7.89. Hunault also had a strong performance in the long jump, taking second place with a distance of 19 feet, 3.25 inches.

Okolo also saw a big improvement in the 200 meter dash, finishing in fourth place with a time of 25.84. Finishing in front of her was Jennifer Sabra who beat out her teammate with a time of 25.77 for third place.

Sabra also took fourth place in the 60 meter hurdles, with teammate Danielle Brown besting her time by .05 seconds with a time of 9.02.

Alexis Brown nearly broke former Bronco Joy Eloms' record in the triple jump, taking second place with a distance of 39 feet, one inch. In the pole vault, Baily Wandyg set a personal best with a height of 11 feet, 5.75 inches.

The Broncos back to South Bend, Ind., and the campus of Notre Dame for the prestigious Meyo Invitational on Firday and Saturday.