(Marian, IN) - The Women's Track and Field team started their outdoor season at Indiana Wesleyan for the Polar Bear Invite on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. The chilly weather did not stop the team from having some good performances, including 7 NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) qualifying marks, 4 personal records, 1 school record and 1 NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) qualifying standard.
The female throwers did not let the cold weather affect them. As Julia Hirt (Junior; Hartland, WI), Lena Korte (Junior; Clinton, MI), Hailey Stausikinas (Junior; Wyoming, MI ) and Quinn Stefanski (Junior; Munger, MI) all earned NCCAA qualifying marks.
Korte led the way with earning NCCAA marks in both javelin and hammer throw, with distances of 33.91 meters and 43.82 meters. Korte picked up third place finishes for both of her efforts, while setting her personal record in weight throw. Korte rebroke her school record in hammer with the throw of 43.82 meters. She also earned a NCCAA qualification and an NAIA A standard in Shot Put with a throw of 13.79 meters and finishing in second place.
Hirt finished in ninth place with a throw of 36.97 meters in the discuss. Stausikinas earned her qualification in javelin with a throw of 28.45 meters. Stausikinas also earned a personal record in shot put with a throw of 8.52 meters. Stefanski earned her qualification in hammer throw with a personal best of 38.75 meters. Stefanski also had a personal record in discus throw with 28.74.
Other throwers Madelyn Ankoviak (Junior; Sanford, MI), Maya Freeman (Freshman) and Christina Smith (Freshman; Saginaw, MI) made their debut in different events. Ankoviak made her debut in hammer throw and javelin throw, where she threw distances of 21.29 meters and 21.67 meters. Freeman debuted in hammer throw 33.82 meters away. Smith made her debut in discus and javelin throw. Smith earned marks of 22.54 meters and 24.58 meters.
The only other female Cardinal to earn a qualification mark for NCCAA's was Jayde Ullenbruch (Freshman; Port Huron, MI) in long jump with a distance of 5.07 meters and earned a sixth-place finish. Ullenbruch also made her 100-meter hurdle debut with a finishing time of 17.46 seconds.
Freshman Macee Ripke (Freshman; Napoleon, Ohio) led Amanda Fogo (Sophomore; Fowlerville, MI), Rachael Byers (Freshman; Plymouth, MI) and Alison Doerr (Sophomore; Grand Haven, MI). Fogo ran a new personal best time of 21:41. While Ripke and Byers debuted in the event, 20:39 and 21:54.
Michaela Kurth (Freshman; Ypsilanti, MI) and Grace Finley (Freshman; Monroe, MI) also made their debut in the 1500. Kurth led the way with a finishing time of 5:32, followed by Finley in 5:53.
The final women to make their debut were Elizabeth Hines (Freshman; Ypsilanti, MI) and Jenna Oberly (Freshman; Westland, MI) in the 800. Hines led the way with a finishing time of 2:49, followed by Oberly in 3:28.
The team will take the week off for Easter before returning to action at Spring Arbor. The Cardinals will compete in the Bill Bippes Invite on Saturday, April 6.
