ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's track and fieldteam hosted the Red Simmons Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 23) at the U-M Track Building. Three Wolverines led the way as individual champions.

This event was a non-scoring event that allowed U-M to gear up forthe Michigan Intercollegiate next Saturday (Jan. 30). The other teamscompeting against the Maize and Blue harriers were Eastern Michigan,Notre Dame, Toledo, Western Michigan and several other athletes competingunattached.

Junior Patrick Johansson (Karlstad, Sweden/Tingvalla Gymansiet HS) started the day off for the Wolverines with a victory in the 35-pound weight throw. His heave of 56 feet, 8 3/4 inches was over two feet further than the second-place finisher, Jay Hofner of Notre Dame.

Ike Okenwa (San Diego, Calif./Morse HS) again won a sprint event for the Wolverines. The freshman won the 60-meter dash after having won the 200-meter dash last weekend at the Michigan Quadrangular.

The third Wolverine to run to an individual victory was sophomoreJosh Sellers (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee HS), who won the 600-meter run for the second time this season. He posted a time of 1:21.71, outsprinting Terry Wray from Notre Dame, who finished only 14 one-hundreths behind Sellers (1:21.85).

Up next for the Wolverines is the Michigan Intercollegiate onSaturday, Jan. 30, at the U-M Track Building. The meet will feature athletes from all over the state. The field events are to begin at 4:30 p.m., with the running competition starting at 5:30 p.m.

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Contact: Anne Kampfe (734) 763-4423

Last updated: Saturday, 23-Jan-1999 22:14:33 EST