Women's track and field team places fifth at MIAA Indoor Invitational
The women's track and field team placed fifth with 60 points at the 2011 MIAA Indoor Invitational today, hosted by Trine (Ind.) University. The Comets were just one point ahead of Albion College.
The Olivet College women's track and field team placed fifth with 60 points at the 2011 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Indoor Invitational today, hosted by Trine (Ind.) University. The Comets were just one point ahead of Albion College.
Highlighting the meet was junior Sarah Caldwell (Bronson), who won the 400-meter dash. She was the only runner to complete the race in under one minute, as she finished the race in 59.73 seconds. Caldwell also finished second in the 200-meter dash in 26.47 seconds, while freshman Becca Gaarde (Parma/Western) was fourth in 27.21 seconds.
Freshman Cassandra Ciaravino (Lapeer/East) had the fastest time in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles, but settled for a third-place finish in the finals with a time of 9.73 seconds. Also in the 60-meter hurdles, Gaarde and Jenna Mayle (Ionia) placed fourth (9.83) and sixth (11.20), respectively. Freshman Liz Stewart (Nashville/Maple Valley) was eighth in the 60-meter dash (8.59). Olivet's 4x400-meter relay scored third-place points, while the distance medley was fifth.
In field events, junior Heather Nicklaw (Springport) tied for first in the high jump, but a judge's decision gave her second-place points. She cleared the bar at 5'1.75". Ciaravino placed sixth in the long jump with a season-best 15'8.75" leap. Freshman Sara Wegener (Lansing/Lansing Catholic) had a 41'2.25" inch toss in the weight throw and 35'9.25" toss in the shot put to finish in seventh- and eighth-place, respectively.
"I am pleased with how we competed not only at today's meet but throughout the indoor season," said Olivet Head Women's Coach Karen Lutzke. "The ladies continue to improve and set personal-best marks. Last year, we only scored 10 points at this meet and this year we scored 60 points."
This meet was the final indoor meet for the Comets. They will now train for their outdoor schedule, which begins April 1 at the Defiance College Yellow Jacket Open Meet. Included on its outdoor schedule, Olivet will host the 2011 MIAA Field Day May 5-6.