The national qualifiers on the women’s track and field team traveled to Pittsburgh, Kansas, over the first weekend of spring break to compete in the NCAA Division II championships. 

The qualifiers in attendance were seniors Shura Ermakov, Liz Wamsley, Katie Salyes, and Katie Weldy, and junior Averi Parker.

Ermakov finished sixth in the 400m dash, earning her fifth overall All-American honors. 

Ermakov’s 400m race showcased a personal best, improving her time from the previous conference championships by nearly half a second.

“My 400m preliminary race was half a second better than my personal record at conference,” Ermakov said. “My final race was also faster than my conference personal record, but slower than my preliminary race.” 

Ermakov placed sixth in the nation, receiving 2024 All-American honors for the indoor track season. 

“We had some good performances. Katie Weldy improved her ranking in weight throw,” she said. 

Weldy, who competed at the championships for the first time, placed 13th in the weight throw. 

“Nationals went really well, I competed in weight throw and it was my first time making it,” she said. “I competed exactly how I needed to and the goal at the end of the day was just to enjoy the experience.”

Wamsley took 14th place in the 5000m. 

“I finished slower than my personal record,” Wamsley said. “It wasn’t the result I was looking for, but I’m grateful for the experience and opportunity to race against that level of competition.”  

The championships featured competitors from Hillsdale’s conference like Ashland University. 

“The runner-up in the 400m dash at conference championships from Ashland University competed in my 400m preliminary heat,” Ermakov said. 

The competition and atmosphere of the championships contributed to the intensity of the races, Ermakov said. 

“It was a very high-stress environment because it was a very competitive field,” she said. 

With the indoor season coming to a close, Ermakov said the team has shifted its focus to their upcoming first meet of the outdoor season.

The championship meet aided the girls in prepping for the outdoor season, according to Weldy.

“It gave me a really good experience for the outdoor season,” Weldy said. “I am someone who is way better at hammer over shotput, so being this successful in weight is really encouraging as I move into my main event.”