The Hillsdale College Chargers traveled to the future site of the G-MAC conference championship in Findlay, Ohio today. After a month-long break from competition, the Chargers bounced back pretty well, especially on this narrow track.
To start things off in the field, freshman Nikita Maines hit another NCAA Division II provisional mark in the shot put: 13.63 meters. She was just shy of her best in the weight throw as well, with a 12.23 meter throw. The throwers trained hard this week so it will be exciting to see what she can do with full strength and a bit of rest.
Sophomore Kajsa Johansson sped down the track in the 60m dash to earn an impressive personal best time of 7.72. Her new personal record earned her a second place finish and is nearly an NCAA Division II provisional time.
Junior Abbie Porter won the 400m dash with a time of 1:00.52, while sophomore Carmen Botha placed seventh in 9.42 seconds in a competitive heat of the 60m hurdles.
Sophomore Calli Townsend made her first ever attempt in the 800m run. She finished third overall in 2:20.63.
In the distance events sophomore Christina Sawyer and freshman Amber Mango represented the Chargers well. In her first collegiate indoor track race, Mango took on the mile run, finishing in third place overall with a time of 5:27.52. Sawyer won the 3000m run in 10:34.05.
The Charger 1600m relay finished out the meet with an aggressive and competitive effort. Botha, Porter, and two freshmen, Melanie Boehm and Alanna O'Leary, teamed up to finish the relay in 4:04.45 to take second place.
The Chargers will return home for the Conference Crossover meet on Friday, Jan. 18.
PHOTO: Carly Gouge
WORDS: Calli Townsend