TU Hits Five NAIA Marks at Hillsdale
HILLSDALE, Mich. – In the first two days of action at the Gina Relays at Hillsdale College, the TU women's track and field team have tallied up five NAIA qualifying performances as well as a new school record.
The Trojans began competition on Thursday with the running of the 5,000-meter open. The tandem of Sarah Harden and Taylor Bluemel both put together standout performances that were NAIA qualifying marks. Harden eclipsed the 'A' standard time by clocking in at 17:32.36 while Bluemel finished in 17:44.43, which is a 'B' qualifying time. Both performances are personal bests for the racers.
Taylor's squad landed three more qualifying marks on Friday. In the women's hammer, Brianna Jordahl set a new program record with a toss of 49.79 meters, which is also an NAIA 'B' standard throw. Rachel Blagg's time of 4:40.39 in the 1,500-meter hit the NAIA 'B' standard. The final NAIA mark of the day was produced by Mae Elizabeth Gimre. Battling tough wind conditions, Gimre was still able to hit the NAIA 'B' standard in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:25.89.
Taylor saw two additional top-10 finishes over the course of day two, including Plenseh-Tay Sakeuh's seventh-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.61 and Miriam Wood's 10th-place performance in the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.61 seconds.
The Gina Relays will conclude tomorrow at Hillsdale College.