Underclassmen Look Sharp at Oliver Nikoloff Invitational

Underclassmen Look Sharp at Oliver Nikoloff Invitational

Results

The Hillsdale College women's track team traveled to the University of Cincinnati for the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational this weekend. They saw many top finishes among several Division I schools. 

Freshman Nikita Maines led the way for the Chargers in the throwing events. In the hammer throw, she earned a new personal best of 39.68 meters to take 18th overall. Maines had a season-best in shot put as well, taking sixth overall with a throw of 13.85 meters.

Freshman Michaela Burkhauser improved her personal best by nearly two meters in discus. She threw for 44.21 meters to take sixth. 

In pole vault, junior Kathryn Bassette had a breakthrough performance after struggling with illness and injury during the indoor season. She took 11th place as she cleared 3.51 meters.

Junior Abbie Porter kicked off the running events for the Chargers with the 800 meter run. She took fifth overall with a time of 2:11.01, beating the NCAA Division II provisional time of 2:12.18. With a provisional mark for her first 800 of the season, Porter is well on her way to success.

In the 100 meter dash, sophomore Kajsa Johansson battled to fifth place with a time of 12.25 seconds.

The only distance runner to travel this weekend was freshman Sophia Maeda. She opened her outdoor season with the 1500 meter run. She finished in 4:52.05.

Sophomore Calli Townsend took fifth as well in the 400 meter hurdles. She finished the race in 1:03.35, just a few hundredths off her personal best. Freshman Melanie Boehm took 10th overall in 1:05.41.

Freshman Alanna O'Leary had a terrific day with two personal bests in the 200 and 400 meter dashes. In the 400, she took 14th overall in 58.64 seconds. She took finished 12th overall in the 200 with a time of 25.73, beating her previous personal best by a half second. Porter ran the 200 as well, taking 21st in 26.40. 

The Chargers will be home next weekend as they host the Hillsdale Invitational. 

WORDS: Calli Townsend
PHOTO: Zoe Tracey