(Saginaw, MI) The women's track and field team returned to action at the Jet's Pizza Invitational on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1, at Saginaw Valley State University. The Cardinals earned seven new personal records and three new collegiate marks.
The mid-distance and distance runners had a strong meet, accumulating five of the seven personal records. It started Friday night with Macee Ripke (Sophomore; Napoleon, OH) and Amanda Fogo (Junior; Fowlerville, MI) running to new personal records at 20:57 and 21:37.
Grace Finley (Sophomore; Monroe, MI) led the way in the mile with a new personal record time of 6:07. Michaela Kurth (Sophomore, Ypsilanti, MI) struggled through some sickness and toughed out a finish with a final time of 6:51.
In the 800, Rachael Byers (Sophomore; Plymouth, MI) dropped down in distance to run a new personal record time of 2:40. Sophomore Merin Merkle (Monroe, MI) made her collegiate debut in the 800 and finished with a time of 2:55. Elizabeth Hines (Sophomore; Ypsilanti, MI) continues to return from injury, with running an 800 in 3:00. Jenna Oberly (Sophomore; Dearborn, MI) earned a five-second improvement on her way to a new personal record time of 3:07.
In sprinting events, Jayde Ullenbruch (Sophomore; Port Huron, MI) and Emma Puwal (Freshman; Utica, MI) made their collegiate debut in the 60-meter dash. Ullenbruch ran to the third fastest time in school history with an 8.26, and Puwal finished in 8.82. Ullenbruch and Puwal also competed in the 200. Puwal ran to a new personal best time of 28.21. Ullenbruch finished her 200 in a total time of 28.51. Puwal finished the weekend with a 400 and fished at 1:05. Ullenbruch continued her busy weekend by competing in the 60 hurdles and long jump. She ran to a time of 9.67 seconds in the hurdles and jumped her way to a distance of 4.89 meters.
Quinn Stefanski (Senior; Munger, MI) led the way in weight throw with a distance of 14.63 meters to earn a new personal record. Stefanski also earned fourth place overall in the weight throw. Morgan Jenkins (Junior; Cleveland,OH) finished in 12 place with a throw of 13.04 meters. Maya Freeman (Sophomore; Fort Gratiot, MI) threw a distance of 12.39 meters for 18 place. While in the shot put, Freeman led the way with a distance of 10.68 meters. Stefanski threw to a distance of 10.17 meters.
A few athletes will head to Cedarville, Ohio, on February 7-8 for the NCCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, while the rest of the team will prepare for the WHAC Championships, hosted by Indiana Tech, on February 14-15.
