Michigan Athletes Settle Into Their Prime Events This Weekend At Simmons-Harvey Invitational

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Bobby Goddin photo

Michigan's Big Ten mile champion, Trent McFarland, will join some of his sub-four teammates on Saturday at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational at the U-M Indoor Track Building. 

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McFarland, an NCAA finalist in the 1,500 meters last June, is entered in the mile along wtih sophomore Brendan Herger, junior Riley Flemington and freshman Marcus Reilly. Yet another sub-four entry is Kian Wiles of Eastern Michigan. 

After a fast 600 meters last weekend where John O'Reilly broke the Canadian U23 indoor record, he and teammate Miles Brown are racing again in the 800 meters. Brown ran 1:16.27 last week in the opener in the 600. 

Penelopea Gordon is the top entry in the women's mile and is set to face Michigan State's Taylor Ewert. 

Michigan true freshman Emmry Ross, the 2025 New Balance Nationals Indoor champion in the 800 meers, and freshman Stephanie Bertram, are set to race their first 800 meters of the season. They'll face Michigan State's Rachel Forsyth. 

The men's 400 features a matchup between Eastern Michigan's Ajayi Bamidele and Aaron Kilbert of Madonna. Kilbert was fourth at the NAIA Indoor Championships last year. 

Madonna's Netanel Dorothea and Michigan's Jake Machiniak top the list in the men's 200. 

Michigan's Sidney Green tops the entries in the women's 400. 

Eastern Michigan's Ajah Arscott and Michigan's Chyler Turner lead the entries in the 200. 

Michigan State's Sophia Lucki and Taylor Pangburn top the listed entries for the 3,000 meters. 

Elizabeth Tapper, the Big Ten runner-up last spring in the shot put, is also entered. She was 12th at the NCAA Indoor Championships last year. 

Michigan State's Elle Adrian is the top thrower in the women's weight throw. 

Notre Dame's Rudecia Bernard leads the field in the women's high jump. 

Brady Schultz of Michigan State and Jackson McDowell from Notre Dame both bring 2.14m (7 feet) credentials in the men's high jump.