Jacob Vogelpohl continued his late-season surge as the Morehead State track and field sophomore finished second in the 5,000-meter run at Wednesday's Liberty Twilight Qualifier on the Mattes-Hopkins Track Complex in Lynchburg, Va. It was the team's final race prior to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.
Vogelpohl clocked a 15:08.70 to obliterate his previous 'pr'.
Liberty's freshman, Jack Cottrell, running unattached, won the race in 14:54.41.
MSU coach Clay Dixon was hoping good weather equaled fast times and that happened. In addition to Vogelpohl, sophomore Kyle Embry finished third in the 5,000m in 15:28.12.
"Kyle, Jacob, and (sophomore) Jarrett (Forrest) had a plan to go for it and shoot for 15 flat," Dixon said. "Jacob came up just short but still over a 20sec PR which is huge. He's had a really good spring and looking forward to OVC."
Forrest was on the ninth of 12 and a half laps before pulling out of the race.
In 2018, the last time the Eagles ran at the meet, Justin Moakler finished second in the 1,500-meter run.
Morehead State also had outstanding individual performances in the 800-meter run.
Sophomore Michael Dunagan placed 11th in the 1:54.53. Sophomore Toby Cook was not far behind in 14th in 1:56.15, with sophomore Wes Grogan in 16th in 1:57.94.
"I'm happy with today. I thought the 800s were good," said Dixon. "Toby 'pr'ed and if you take away last week's 800s then Michael and Wes would have run personal bests as well."
Two members of the Eagle women's team also made the trip. Sophomore Laikin Tarlton placed 19th n the 1,500m in 5:07.59. Freshman Lucy Singleton was scheduled to run the 800m, but withdrew to rest and prepare for the OVC meet.
Next Wednesday, MSU will open competition at the OVC Championship in Murray, Ky. The meet will run through Friday.
By Brad Laux, MSU Athletic Media Relations