The women’s track team returned from Michigan State University with three wins and two provisional marks. 

Sophomore jumper Tara Townsend said many field events were moved to the indoor track due to cold and windy weather conditions.

Hillsdale faced conference rivals such as Findlay University, as well as Division I schools like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Central Michigan University. 

With the jumpers outside, junior Katie Clifford achieved a personal record in the pole vault, earning provisional marks in the Division II rankings, Townsend said. 

“I think it was a good opener for most of us, Katie Clifford had a really good day. I was super excited for her,” she said. 

Along with provisional marks, Clifford currently ranks sixteenth in the NCAA’s DII provisional rankings, according to senior Reese Dragovich.

Dragovich, who ran the open 400-meter dash, took first place, while freshman Nola Hipkins had impressive performances at her first outdoor collegiate meet.

“We had some really great performances by Nola Hipkins. She opened up her collegiate career in the 100-meter hurdles and 400 hurdles. She did really well,” Dragovich said. 

Despite weather conditions making competition tough, the Chargers had many impressive performances against DI schools, Townsend said. 

“I think we compete well with the other schools for the most part,” she said. “Obviously there’s a gap with some events where the division one schools have just a higher overall score. But I think generally, we compete just as well.”

Turning towards their next meet, most of the provisionally ranked Chargers traveled to California to attend two of the biggest meets of the year.

“For the most part, everybody would love the opportunity to go so just provisionally marked athletes are all the California meet will take,” Townsend said. 

The Azusa Pacific Bryan Clay Invitational on Thursday April 11, will lead into the Long Beach Invitational Saturday, April 13 through qualifying marks on Thursday. 

“For each meet, there are qualification standards in each event to hit before your entry is going to be accepted for the next meet,” senior Shura Ermakov said. 

Ermakov will run  the 100 hurdles and 400  hurdles. She will also compete in the 4×400 team  relay along with Dragovich, senior Josee Hackman, and sophomore Francesca Federici. 

In addition to the relay, Dragovich will run the open 800 dash. 

“I’m running the 800 on Friday and looking to get a good time there,” she said. “It’s a really good competition, which should be exciting.”

Dragovich said she hopes that the meet, which is one of the biggest in the country, will hopefully bring good weather and competition.