The Chargers saw steep competition amongst several strong Division I track programs at the Vanderbilt Black and Gold invitational.
On Friday, sophomore Kajsa Johansson kicked off her outdoor season with a big personal record in the 200m dash. She finished 24.69 seconds to take 15th place out of 80 runners. Junior Abbie Porter and freshman Alanna O'Leary opened up their outdoor seasons as well, finishing in 26.17 and 26.25, respectively.
Johansson got things started on the track for the Chargers on Saturday with the 100m dash. She took 13th overall in 12.15 seconds which is about a three tenths faster than she started her outdoor season last year. Coming off of a successful indoor season, Johansson has a lot to look forward to.
Porter nearly eclipsed her record time in the 400m dash of 56.87 from high school. She won her heat and took ninth overall in 56.89 seconds.
Sophomore Calli Townsend earned a personal record in the 400m hurdles, finishing seventh overall and finishing in 1:03.32. Freshman Melanie Boehm ran the 400m hurdles as well, taking ninth in 1:05.27.
Boehm and Townsend teamed up with Porter and O'Leary for the 4-by-400m relay. They finished in 3:55.
In the field events, freshman Nikita Maines placed 12th in shot put, throwing for 12.86 meters. In discus, freshman Michaela Burkhauser took ninth place overall with a throw of 42.39 meters which is a new personal best. She also threw hammer on Friday, taking 18th place with 40.63 meters.
PHOTO: Todd Lancaster
WORDS: Calli Townsend