Foster Qualifies, Alexander Breaks Record at Central Invite
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Pella–A ticket to nationals was punched and another program mark fell as the William Penn women’s track and field team competed at the Central Invitational Thursday.
The Statesmen placed sixth out of nine teams with 78 points, while host Central won the crown with 143.5 points.
Meaghan Foster (Jr., Centerville, Iowa, Undecided) was the headliner for WPU as she eclipsed the NAIA’s ‘B’ standard in the shot put with a toss of 43-8.75. The throw helped her win the event; she was also ninth in the discus at 118-6.
Tarah Alexander (Jr., Cedar, Iowa, Physical Education) also claimed an event title as she broke the school record in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:53.48. It is a mark that had stood since 1984 (Pam Johnstone).
The 1,500 was the squad’s best overall competition as three others also finished in the top 10. Addison Kepner (Jr., Cincinnati, Iowa, Biology) was seventh at 5:19.38, while Deja Lewis (So., Spring, Texas, Psychology) was ninth at 5:23.84 and Guadalupe Gonzalez (Fr., Houston, Texas, Exercise Science) was 10th at 5:28.01.
Raveen Rhone (Sr., Los Angeles, Calif., Biology) and Kristin Lastovka (Jr., Brooklyn, Iowa, Business Management) joined Foster as multiple top-10 placers. Rhone accomplished her feats in the triple jump (second, 34-9.5) and long jump (eighth, 15-6.25), while Lastovka was sixth in the shot put (38-0.75) and 10th in the hammer throw (132-4).
Whitley Schertz (Sr., Eddyville, Iowa, Exercise Science) pole vaulted to a silver at 7-6.5, while Courtney Dalton (Fr., Posen, Ill., Biology) was also second in the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 1:09.58.
Alyssa Phillips (So., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) was third in the high jump at 5-0.25, Emma Hoerr (Jr., Chillicothe, Ill., Physical Education) finished sixth in the shot put at 129-9, and Kenzie Gunter (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management & Psychology) was seventh in the 100-meter hurdles in 16.02 seconds.
The Statesmen 4×100 (fourth, 51.45 seconds) and 4×400-meter relay teams (sixth, 4:23.06) were high finishers as well.
“This was another outstanding performance by our squads today,” Head Coach Allen Friesen said. “I am so proud of our athletes and their coaches. These kids are motivated and hungry to do better every week. “
Next Up: William Penn travels to Des Moines next Friday and Saturday to compete in the Jim Duncan Invitational hosted by Drake.
