Orr, Bailey shine for Spartans

By Julie Baker (Last updated: 08/28/09 6:29pm) MSU track and field team members Jeremy Orr and Erica Bailey stood out as leaders for the team during the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships last weekend.

The Spartans men earned a ninth-place finish for the event.

Orr, a sprinter, extended his winning season with two second-place finishes for the team.

The junior posted a time of 21.46 in the 200-meter dash and a 47.01 in the 400-meter dash, earning 16 total points for the Spartans.

"(Orr) beat some really great athletes in both races," track and field director Walt Drenth said in a written statement. "He is a leader on this team and understands competition and how to step up when the challenge arises."

Orr's 47.01 time in the 400-meter dash also was an NCAA-provisional qualifying time, which will enable him to compete in the NCAA Championships on March 9 and 10 in Fayetteville, Ark.

Also scoring points for the men's team was hurdler John Childress, who posted a sixth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.05. This earned the Spartans three points.

Standing out in the women's competition was senior weight thrower Erica Bailey, who broke her own school record with a 20-pound weight toss of 18.76 meters. Bailey set her previous record Feb. 9 at the Iowa State Classic with a throw of 18.5 meters.

"We asked our athletes to come into this competition and do at least what they had accomplished during the regular season," Drenth said. "But (Bailey) exceeded those expectations, and we are very proud of her."

Leanne Pare's performance also stood out to Drenth. The sophomore posted a seventh-place finish in her first appearance at the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships with a high jump height of 1.70 meters.

"She put forth a strong effort and made great progress this season," Drenth said.

Originally Published: 02/27/07 12:00am