WPU Takes on Bigger Meet at Bearcat Open

Maryville, Mo.–The Statesmen women’s track and field team faced off against its largest field of the season as it competed in the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Open Friday and Saturday.

Abigaille Batu-Tiako (Sr., Plattsburgh, N.Y., Business Management) topped the navy and gold with a fifth-place effort in the long jump at 17-4. The senior was also 23rd overall in the 60-meter dash in a time of 8.07 seconds.

A’luel Miller (Fr., Kansas City, Kan., Wellness and Recreation) was high in the long jump standings as well, placing seventh at 17-2.

Alexandra Rose (Jr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science) guided the sprinting crew in 13th place in the 60 at 7.95, while Lilly Ostert (Fr., Madrid, Iowa, Exercise Science) was right behind her team in 14th at 7.95.

De’Avae Adderley (So., Nassau, Bahamas, Engineering Technology) also ended up in the top half of the 200-meter dash field in 26.79 seconds.

Erica Martin (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Sports Management) was William Penn’s best thrower as she finished eighth in the shot put at 41-11.5.

“Our ladies have been strong all season, and going into this meet they were excited to see some big competition and get pushed even more,” Head Coach Viktoria Vinokur said. “Alexandra Rose and Erica Martin, among others, had big weekends and their hard work is really paying off. Our ladies really stepped up into this big competition weekend, which has made them even more hungry going into conference.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Davenport next Saturday to compete in the St. Ambrose Tune-Up.