Dec. 17, 2011
ALLENDALE, Mich. – Notre Dame senior track and field standouts Maddie Buttinger and Kevin Schipper took part in the Grand Valley State Holiday Open on Friday and turned in strong efforts, with Buttinger placing in the top three in three events, while Schipper automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the pole vault.
Buttinger, a talented pentathlete, finished third in the 60-meter hurdles (9.01), second in the high jump (1.70m) and first in the long jump (5.78m). The distances in the high and long jumps were both NCAA provisional qualifying marks.
Schipper was the top collegiate finisher, and the second overall finisher in the pole vault with a NCAA automatic qualifying vault of 5.15m (16-10.75 ft). He automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships, which will be held in March 9-10 in Nampa, Idaho.
The Irish now head to winter break, but will return to Allendale, Mich., for the GVSU Bob Eubanks Open on Jan. 13-14.
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