DMR Breaks Record as WPU Battles at Grinnell Invitational
Grinnell–The distance medley relay squad crushed its old record as it guided the Statesmen women’s track and field team at the Grinnell Invitational Saturday.
As a squad, William Penn placed fifth out of six teams with 73 points, while Central won the crown with 194 points.
The DMR crew of Roselaure Fuller (Jr., Pella, Iowa, Nursing), Briana Admire (Fr., Galesburg, Ill., Biology), Elizabeth Hele (Sr., Victorville, Calif., Biology), and Charlotte Hele (Apple Valley, Calif., Undecided) set a new program record with a winning time of 13:50.45. Impressively, the quartet was the only group in the event. The old mark of 14:29.08 was from 2019.
A’luel Miller (Fr., Kansas City, Kan., Wellness and Recreation) also came away with a top performance, winning the long jump at 17-6.25, while also placing sixth in the 200-meter dash in 27.51 seconds.
Abigaille Batu-Tiako (Sr., Plattsburgh, N.Y., Business Management) was next in the long jump at 17-0 and secured an additional runner-up finish as well in the 60-meter hurdles in 9.54 seconds.
Silvers were also won by Lilly Ostert (Fr., Madrid, Iowa, Exercise Science) in the 60-meter dash (7.84) and Erica Martin (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Sports Management) in the shot put (38-7).
The navy and gold saw several other individuals place high in the sprints. Alexandra Rose (Jr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science) was fourth in the 60 in 8.02 and ninth in the 200 in 27.77, while Grace Willms (Fr., Monticello, Iowa, Psychology) also notched two high finishes by taking ninth in the 60 (8.27 in the prelims) and 10th in the 200 (27.81).
De’Avae Adderley (So., Nassau, Bahamas, Engineering Technology) posted a 200 time of 27.30 to end up fifth, while Tabitha Rogers (So., Venice, Calif., Elementary Education) had a 60 time of 8.31 in the finals to claim seventh.
DMR participants Admire and Fuller also excelled in the 800-meter run with Admire finishing fifth (2:37.42) and Fuller taking eighth (2:41.45).
Phoebe Burt (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa, Sociology) tallied a top-10 effort in the shot put, throwing the implement a distance of 37-6.5 for seventh.
“Our women’s team started to make some moves and show their consistency today,” Head Coach Viktoria Vinokur said. “We had a boatload of PRs as they continue their upward trajectory. Our DMR team breaking the school record was a big feat for our distance crew that has been working so hard this season. It was great to see them rewarded with a time like that. For them to run alone, I think they will break it again when they actually go up against some competition. The women showing consistency and drive at these smaller meets is setting them up for some big things coming up.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Maryville, Mo. next Thursday through Saturday to compete in the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Open.
