(Marion, IN) – The women's track and field team traveled to Indiana Wesleyan to begin their outdoor season. The women earned three NCCAA qualification marks and three new collegiate marks.
Macee Ripke (Sophomore; Napoleon, OH) set the tone for the weekend by running to an NCCAA qualifying time in the 5k with a finishing time of 20:18. Ripke was just a second off her best effort. Amanda Fogo (Junior; Fowlerville, MI), Rachael Byers (Sophomore; Plymouth, MI) and Alison Doerr (Junior; Grand Haven, MI) also competed in the 5k this weekend as well. Fogo was the second Cardinal to cross the finish line at 21:57. Byers crossed the finish line right behind Fogo at a final time of 22:00. Doerr finished the race at 24:08.
Quinn Stefanski (Senior; Munger,MI) and Morgan Jenkins (Junior; Cleveland, OH) claimed NCCAA qualification marks in Hammer Throw. Stefanski led the team with a throw of 39.86 meters, followed by Jenkins with a distance of 38.85 meters. Maya Freeman (Sophomore; Fort Gratiot, MI) also competed in Hammer and finished with a distance of 32.18 meters.
Stefanski had a busy weekend, as she competed in Discus and finished with a final distance of 28.68. Stefanski also led the Shot Put with a throw of 10.15 meters. Freeman threw a distance of 9.73 meters. Hailey Stasiukinas (Senior; Wyoming, MI) competed in the Shot Put and threw a distance of 8.88 meters.
Stasiukinas and Christina Smith (Sophomore; Saginaw, MI) competed in Javelin. Stasiukinas led the way with a distance of 26.11 meters, followed by Smith at 22.84 meters.
Jayde Ullenbruch (Sophomore; Port Huron, MI) wrapped up field events with a ninth-place finish in the Long Jump with a distance of 5.02 meters.
Emma Puwal (Freshman; Utica, MI ) made her outdoor collegiate debut on the 200- and 400-meter dash track. Puwal ran to times of 28.57 and 1:07 in the respective races.
Grace Finley (Sophomore, Monroe, MI) and Michaela Kurth (Sophomore, Ypsilanti, MI) competed in the 1500. Finley crossed the finish line first for the Cardinals, finishing in 5:51. Kurth crossed the finish line with a time of 5:56.
In the 800, Chloe Gunter (Senior; Monroe,MI) led the group at 2:53. Merin Merkle (Sophomore; Monroe, MI) made her outdoor collegiate debut with a time of 2:55. Elissa Hines (Sophomore; Ypsilanti, MI) and Jenna Oberly (Sophomore; Dearborn, MI) also competed in the 800. Hines finished at 3:01 and Oberly in 3:12.
The team will have time for training as they prepare for the Spartan Invite at Michigan State on Friday, April 4.
