MARQUETTE, Mich. - After their strong performance at the GVSU Big Meet and Ted Nelson Invite two weeks ago, where they had a school record in the 4000m DMR and an additional four podium finishes, the Northern Michigan Track & Field team will be back in action this weekend, taking part in the GLIAC Indoor Championships hosted by SVSU.
The Wildcats will look to have a strong performance to help propel them into the NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach in two weeks. The action will begin on Saturday, Feb. 28th and go through Sunday, March 1st.
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Last Time Out
NMU turned in strong performances across a pair of meets last time out, competing at Grand Valley State in the GVSU Big Meet and at Minnesota State in the Ted Nelson Classic. The weekend was highlighted by a school record DMR finish, two NCAA provisional marks, and seven top-five finishes.
At the GVSU Big Meet, the 4000m DMR team set a new school record at 11:44.49. The group of
Ashley Choponis,
Baux Truckey,
Beverly Harper, and
Madi Szymanski placed fifth while also posting the current DII ninth-best time.
In the 800m, Harper finished in the top half of the field with a PR and NCAA provisional mark of 2:12.95, placing 14th.
At the Ted Nelson Classic, Northern produced four podium finishes and added six more top-five results.
Celia Wallace led the way in the 3000m, earning runner-up honors in 11:12.61.
The mile featured two Wildcats in the top five.
Ella DeBruyn took third in 5:07.00, while Anya VanSweeden placed fifth with a personal-best 5:19.55.
The 'Cats also placed two in the top five of the 800m.
Lola Korpi secured third with a personal-best 2:19.37, and
Lana Mac followed in fifth at 2:22.45. DeBruyn came through just behind them, clocking 2:29.01 for sixth.
Crystal Walker delivered a third-place showing in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.91, her second-best mark.
Last Season at The GLIAC Indoor Championships
NMU placed fourth of nine teams at last year's conference meet.
The Wildcats had three podium finishes, coming in the 60m hurdles and triple jump.
Crystal Walker was on the podium in the 60m hurdles by taking third.
Alayna Vandegriff earned her first career GLIAC Championship podium finish by collecting bronze in the triple jump.
The Wildcats finished well in the 60m hurdles, as
Crystal Walker earned the bronze at 8.74. The 4x400m relay squad took 4th place in the meet's final event, finishing at 3:52.56. The distance medley relay (DMR) took 5th place, crossing at 12:14.73.
In the mile,
Lamar Gordon took 8th with a time of 5:02.85 for a point.
Ella DeBruyn placed 13th in a time of 5:19.92. In the 800m, three 'Cats competed over four heats. Harper had the top NMU finish, placing 9th in a time of 2:16.96. Mac crossed at 2:19.61 for 11th, and
Lola Korpi finished at 2:21.73 to take 15th.
Vandegriff earned a third-place podium finish in the triple jump, reaching a distance of 11.27m. The Wildcats finished 4th and 5th in the long jump for nine points.
Crystal Walker hit a distance of 5.51m.
