(Spring Arbor, MI) - The Women's track & field team returned from Easter break to warmer weather, and it resulted in some strong performances at the Bill Bippes Cougar Classic hosted by Spring Arbor. The Cardinals came away with 2 school records, 9 personal bests, 5 event wins, and 7 collegiate debuts.
The throwing events were dominated by the Cardinals, as they swept all four events. Lena Korte (Junior; Clinton, MI) won the Shot Put, Javelin, and Hammar Throw. Korte earned new personal record distances in the Shot Put with a throw of 14.53 meters. She also set a new best in Hammer with 45.38 meters. Both new personal records were also new school records.
In Javelin, the Cardinals took the top three spots. Korte had the winning throw of 35.21 meters, followed by Hailey Stasiukinas (Junior; Wyoming, MI) with a throw of 28.40 meters, and Christina Smith finished in third place with a new personal best throw of 27.77 meters. Madelyn Ankoviak (Junior; Sanford, MI) finished in seventh place with a new personal best throw of 24.25 meters.
Julia Hirt (Junior; Hartland, WI) helped complete the sweep of throwing events by winning the discus with a throw of 38.08 meters.
Stasiukinas and Quinn Stefanski (Junior; Munger, MI) wrapped up throwing events by earning personal records in the shot put. Stasiukinas new best throw was 8.77 meters and Stefanski had a throw of 10.88 meters.
In distance events, Michaela Kurth (Freshman; Ypsilanti, MI) led the way by winning the 800 with a time of 2:36 in her outdoor debut. Kurth started the day by finishing in fifth place in the 1500 with a new personal best time of 5:19.
The 1500 was a popular event for the Cardinals as Grace Finley ran to a new personal best time of 5:42. While Macee Ripke (Freshman; Napoleon, OH), Elizabeth Hines (Freshman; Ypsilanti, MI), Rachael Byers (Freshman; Plymouth, MI) and Amanda Fogo (Sophomore; Fowlerville, MI) all made their collegiate debuts. Ripke led the way by finishing in 5:39, followed by Hines in 5:47, Fogo (5:54) and Byers (5:55).
Jenna Oberly (Freshman; Dearborn, MI) earned a new personal best time in the 800 by finishing in 3:14.
On the sprints side, Chloe Evans (Sophomore; New Boston, MI) and Grace Ponto (Freshman) made their collegiate debuts in the 400 hurdles. Evans led the way with a time of 1:16 to finish in third place, followed by Ponto in 1:23.
The Women will be back in action at Tiffin University for the Tiffin Track Carnival on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13.
