Despite a quiet weekend hosting the Hillsdale Tune-Up meet in the Margot V. Biermann Center, the women of the Hillsdale College track and field team defended their No. 1 ranking in NCAA Division II on Saturday. The meet was merely the calm before the storm: this weekend the Chargers will compete in the GLIAC Championships.
In the 800 meter, sophomore Hannah Watts took second place. She ran a time of 2:14.95 hitting her second provisional mark of the season in this event with her fastest performance.
Senior captain Corinne Zehner won the 60-meter hurdles with another provisional performance of 8.77 seconds.
The 4×400 meter relay team — comprised of Zehner, juniors Allison Duber and Sarah Benson, and sophomore Fiona Shea — came in second to Shorter University this week. They ran a converted time of 3:48.18. The relay team hoped the competition would push them a little harder this weekend.
“We assumed they would be a fast team but we made the mistake of pacing instead of just trying to beat them. If we had been aware of the times we were running I think the results would have been different,” Duber said. “We haven’t been living up to our potential. But we will get it done at GLIACs because we’re good under pressure.”
Junior Alex Whitford won the pole vault with a vault of 11 feet, 6.5 inches. Whitford has already hit a provisional mark for her event but hopes to improve on it in the future. After having knee surgery over winter break, Whitford knows she can do better.
“I came in really confident because I had a good fall with training and with the surgery in January I faced a setback. With pole vault the last things in are the first things out. It’s been a tough process. That height wasn’t what I want but I feel like it’s reaching a point where it’s going to come together in the next few weeks. I’m trusting coach,” Whitford said.
In the triple jump, sophomore Chloe Ohlgren snatched third with another provisional mark of 11.58 meters.
Junior Dana Newell keeps inching toward the record in the weight throw. This weekend, she threw 18.25 meters which earned her first place. Sophomore Rachael Tolsma was again not far behind, placing second with a throw of 17.59 meters. Again, both throws were worthy of provisional marks.
Head coach Andrew Towne estimates that at least eight but possibly as many as 15 of his female athletes will go to the national championship meet. Still, excellent performances at GLIACs are vital.
“I thought for the most part we did well. There were a few things that would have been nice to get done that we didn’t get done prior to GLIAC Championships. But in most of those situations there is no reason they can’t do it at GLIACs,” Towne said. “I think we’re in a really good spot.”
The Chargers will travel to Tiffin University this Saturday and Sunday to compete in the GLIAC championship meet.
