The Chargers opened up their outdoor season today at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring a newly surfaced track and a competitive field, the meet served as a great opener for many of Hillsdale's athletes.
Senior legacy captain Rachael Tolsma brought her veteran experience to the competition, earning fourth place in the hammer with a throw of 50.18 meters, and fifth in the shot put, throwing 13.11 meters. Freshman Caylin Bonser also started off her season well, opening up with a mark of 33.96 meters in the discus and a fifth place finish.
Senior jumper Chloe Ohlgren thrived in the competitive field, jumping 11.35 meters in triple jump (3rd) and 5.52 meters, just short of her lifetime best, in long jump (6th).
In the 200 meter race, freshman Zalonya Eby and senior Ashlee Moran battled the competition, earning sixth (24.91 seconds) and 14th (25.35 seconds), respectively. Zalonya also opened up in the first 100 meter race of her college career, sprinting 12.38 seconds. Her teammate, freshman Kajsa Johannson, joined her in the event, running 12.44 seconds.
The Chargers' mid-distance group competed impressively in the 800 meters. Freshman Abbie Porter ran 2:15.79 for fifth place, while her teammate senior Hannah Watts followed closely behind at 2:19.34, for eighth.
In the 400 meter hurdles, Hillsdale's girls are young and competitive. Both freshman Carmen Botha (1:03.75) and freshman Calli Townsend (1:04.57) finished strong in fourth and fifth, respectively.