Aderibigbe Wins 60, Qualifies for Nationals in Final Meet Before Conference

Grinnell–Adedoyin Aderibigbe (Fr., Cedar Hill, Texas, Sociology) became the first female runner to qualify for nationals this season as the William Penn women’s indoor track and field team competed at the Darren Young Classic hosted by Grinnell Friday and Saturday.

Aderibigbe topped the 60-meter dash field with a provisional-standard time of 7.62 seconds. She joins long jumper Crystal Shaw (Fr., Austin, Texas, Applied Computer Science) on the Statesmen national-qualifying list.

Hope Davies (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa, Political Science) also had a solid showing in the 60, placing 14th in 8.26 seconds.

Akeelah Anderson (Fr., Dubuque, Iowa, Nursing), who was 10th in the 400-meter dash (1:04.97), and Hellen Doerue (Fr., Waukee, Iowa, Nursing), who was 13th in the 200-meter dash (28.02), performed well in the sprints as well.

After Aderibigbe, Arabella Nepa (Fr., Clayton, Ga., New Media) had WPU’s next-highest finish as she was fourth in the high jump at 4-9.75.

The duo of Claire Rye (Fr., Plymouth, Iowa, Biology) and Mallory Ostroski (Fr., Le Grand, Iowa, Kinesiology) held their own in the middle-distance and distance competitions. Rye was sixth in the 3,000-meter run (11:02.25), and Ostroski was ninth in the 800-meter run (2:30.76).

Emmalee Wells-Stout (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) was also ninth, doing so in the 60-meter hurdles in 9.95 seconds.

“Trying to get a few more people qualified for conference was the goal, and we succeeded, but the highlight of the day was Adedoyin qualifying in the 60,” Head Coach Victoria Vinokur said. “We have been wanting to get a female qualified in there for a while now, and she more than delivered. She is coming into her own at the right time.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Maryville, Mo. next Friday and Saturday to compete at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship.