1-2 Finish in 100-Meter Dash Highlights WPU’s Efforts at Central

Pella–The Statesmen women’s track and field team posted several strong marks as it competed at the Central Invitational Thursday.

William Penn took the top two spots in the sport’s fastest race as Abigaille Batu-Tiako (Sr., Plattsburgh, N.Y., Business Management) won the 100-meter dash competition in 12.63 seconds, while A’luel Miller (Fr., Kansas City, Kan., Wellness and Recreation) was second at 12.68.

Batu-Tiako also walked off with bronze in the long jump at 17-9.5.

WPU had two other individuals place in the 100’s top 10 with Alexandra Rose (Jr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science) in fifth (13.03) and Lilly Ostert (Fr., Madrid, Iowa, Exercise Science) in ninth (13.14).

The Statesmen 4×100-meter relay squad ended up high in the standings as well, finishing third in 49.14 seconds.

Grace Willms (Fr., Monticello, Iowa, Psychology), in 16th (27.86), and Tabitha Rogers (So., Venice, Calif., Elementary Education), in 17th (27.91), recorded two more sprinting top-half performances, doing so in the 200-meter dash.

Erica Martin (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Sports Management) had the fifth-best shot put at 41-6.5 and was 18th in the hammer throw (124-8). Phoebe Burt (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa, Sociology) guided the navy and gold in the discus, taking sixth overall (124-7). Burt was also 12th in the shot (36-3).

Elizabeth Hele (Sr., Victorville, Calif., Biology) crossed the line in 15th in the 800-meter run (2:35.28).

Next Up: William Penn will travel to Fayette, Mo. Friday and Saturday to compete in the Central Methodist Invitational.