(East Lansing, MI) – The Concordia women's track team traveled to Michigan State for the Spartan Invitational on Friday, April 4. The Cardinals came away with six personal records, two new collegiate marks, and one NCCAA qualifier.
The running events were kicked off by Macee Ripke (Sophomore; Napoleon, OH), Michaela Kurth (Sophmore; Ypsilanti, MI), Rachael Byers (Sophomore; Plymouth,MI), Grace Finely (Sophomore; Monroe, MI) and Amanda Fogo (Junior; Fowlerville, MI) in the 1500. Ripke and Byers led the way as they ran to big new personal records, with Ripke crossing the line in 5:18 and Byers in 5:21. Kurth ran to a season best time of 5:30. Fogo ran to a new personal best time as well, crossing the finish line in 5:52. Finley finished right behind in 5:54.
Kurth and Finley both doubled up and ran the 800. Kurth ran to the season-best time of 2:40, while Finley crossed in 2:52. Chloe Gunter (Senior; Monroe, MI), Alison Doerr (Junior; Grand Haven, MI), Merin Merkle (Sophomore; Monroe, MI) and Jenna Oberly (Sophomore; Dearborn, MI) also competed in the 800. Gunter ran to a season best time of 2:49. Oberly ran to a new personal best of 3:09. Doerr and Merkle raced each other to the line for a heat win and both crossed in 2:56.
Gunter and Merkle joined Elizabeth Hines (Sophomore; Ypsilanti, MI) and Emma Puwal (Freshman; Utica, MI) in the 400. Puwal ran to a personal best time of 1:05. While Hines and Merkle made their collegiate debut in the event. Merkle finished with a time of 1:10, followed by Hines in 1:12, and Gunter, who returned to the event for the first time since her Freshman year, ran a 1:13.
Puwal also ran a new personal best in the 200m, finishing in 28.49 seconds. Jayde Ullenbruch (Sophomore;Port Huron, MI) also competed in the 200 with a final time of 28.96.
Ullenbruch also competed in the 100-meter hurdles and long jump. Ullenbruch ran to a final time of 17.55 seconds in the hurdles, just missing the NCCAA qualifying time. She finished in eighth place in long jump with a distance of 5.04 meters.
In throwing events, Hailey Stasiukinas (Senior; Wyoming, MI) earned an NCCAA qualifying mark in Javelin with a throw of 29.80 meters. Christina Smith (Sophomore; Saginaw, MI) also competed in the javelin and finished with a season-best throw of 26.75 meters.
In the hammer throw, Quinn Stefanski (Senior; Munger, MI) finished in ninth place with a throw of 41.18 meters. Morgan Jenkins (Junior; Cleveland, OH) finished in 13 place with a throw of 36.50 meters.
Stefanski and Stasiukinas both competed in the shot put as well. Stefanski led the way with a throw of 9.88 meters, while Stasiukinas finished with a season-best throw of 8.94 meters.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Saturday, April 12 for the Bill Bippes Invite at Spring Arbor.
