The Hillsdale College women's track and field team went to the Walsh Tune-Up this Thursday looking to finalize their preparations for the upcoming G-MAC Outdoor Championships next week, but came away with more than that in a strong all-around performance.
The Chargers posted three new NCAA DII provisional qualifying marks in the meet, two by sophomore thrower Averi Parker. A 2022 Indoor All-American in the shot put, Parker put her her best foot forward to earn a spot in the 2023 Outdoor Championships in the event on Thursday, winning the shot put with a new season best mark of 14.74 meters. That performance ranks seventh in the nation at the NCAA DII level in that event and puts her in prime position to qualify for her fourth NCAA DII Championship meet in four possible tries.
Parker also improved her mark in the hammer throw with a runner-up finish, throwing 55.07 meters to move up to 16th in the nation at the NCAA DII level this season, and right on to the bubble for a spot at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships.
Parker's performances were part of a strong day in the throws for Hillsdale. Senior Nikita Maines placed second in the shot put at 14.27 meters, while teammate Katie Weldy took third in the hammer throw with a toss of 54.51 meters and Mackenzie Morrison placed seventh with a distance of 42.21 meters.
On the track, Shura Ermakov greatly improved her chances of racing in the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships with a big performance in the 400m hurdles at Walsh. Ermakov took the title with a personal best time of 1:00.36, moving her up to ninth in the nation at the NCAA DII level in the event just three weeks out from the selection. Ermakov also took third in the 100 hurdles in a time of 15.20, behind teammate Louisa Klaserner, who finished second in the 100 hurdles in 14.85, and ahead of teammate Judith Allison, who placed fifth in 15.63. Klaserner also finished fourth in the 400m hurdles behind Ermakov in a new personal best time of 1:07.57.
Freshman Francesca Federici took third in the 400m dash, in 59.38, as well for Hillsdale, and teamed with Tara Townsend, Klaserner and Kaylee Jackson to place third in the 4x100m relay, with a time of 49.32. Freshman Anna Roberts took fifth in the 400m dash with a personal best time of 59.82, while Allison Nimtz placed sixth in the 200m dash (26.51) and Anna Lamoreaux placed seventh (26.80).
Hillsdale travels to Ashland next for the three day G-MAC Championships, beginning on Wednesday, May 3. The Chargers will be looking to defend their 2022 G-MAC Outdoor Track and Field title against tough competition from 2023 Indoor champion Findlay, among others.
Photo by David Beach