Women’s Track & Field fights to the end

Hugo Santos

Journalism Student

The Women’s Track and Field GPAC Championships culminated in a thrilling showdown between Doane University and Concordia University, with both teams fiercely competing for the title. Ultimately, the Concordia Bulldogs managed to fend off the determined Doane Tigers, prevailing with a narrow margin of 209.5-204.5. The Tigers’ campaign was buoyed by the stellar performances of eight event champions.

Athletes earned All-GPAC honors by securing a Top 8 finish in individual events and a top 3 finish in relays. Freshman Neryah Hekl sprinted to victory in the 100m, setting a new school record with a remarkable time of 11.75. Sophomore Morgan Mahoney claimed third place with a time of 12.24, closely followed by senior Isabel Bothwell in fourth at 12.35. Sophomore Katie Vogt showcased her speed, clinching first place in the 200m with a swift time of 25.27. Hekl demonstrated her versatility, securing second place in the 200m at 25.57, while Mahoney finished seventh at 26.17. Vogt continued her dominance in the 400m, crossing the finish line first in 56.40, with freshman Kiley Hejtmanek taking seventh in 1:00.06.

Sophomore Danie Parriott displayed resilience, finishing sixth in the grueling 3000m steeplechase with a time of 12:17.45, while sophomore Calla Wittland battled to sixth place in the demanding 10,000m, clocking 41:47.22. Sophomore Josie Garrett impressed with a thirdplace finish in the 100m hurdles at 14.50 and freshman Chaney Nelson secured third place in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:05.11.

The Tigers’ 4x100m relay team, comprising Bothwell, Mahoney, Vogt, and Hekl, surged to victory with a swift time of 47.29.

Junior Lindsay Adams showcased her prowess in the long jump, claiming victory with an impressive leap of 5.65m/18-06.50. Garrett secured seventh place with a mark of 5.40m/1708.75, while sophomore Rosalyn Roggasch took eighth with a jump of 5.27m/17-03.50. Roggasch continued her success in the triple jump, dominating with a mark of 11.53m/37-10.00.

Garrett secured second place with a mark of 11.51m/37-09.25, with sophomore Kyla Davis following in fourth at 11.23m/36-10.25. Adams rounded out the impressive performances with a sixth-place finish at 11.08m/36-04.25.

Senior Jastiny Jackson and Garrett showcased their skills in the high jump, tying for fourth place with clearances of 1.60m/5-03.00, while senior Sarah Theiler tied for sixth with a mark of 1.55m/5-01.00. In the pole vault, freshman Kaylee Pribyl soared to first place with a clearance of 3.75m/12-03.00, followed by sophomore Kennedy Stanley in second at 3.55m/11-07.75, and junior Samantha Knapp in seventh with a height of 3.25m/1008.00.

In the throwing events, freshman Delaney Burge secured eighth place in the shot put with a throw of 13.17m/43-02.50, while junior Alivia Baucom impressed with a second-place finish in the discus, launching a throw of 45.48m/149-02. Senior Sydney Biermann secured fifth place with a throw of 40.77m/133-09. Senior Macy Fuller showcased her strength in the hammer throw, claiming second place with a throw of 55.72m/182-10, while sophomore Mia Knigge took eighth with a toss of 48.27m/158-04.

Senior Molly Vander Hamm emerged triumphant in the javelin, unleashing a throw of 40.84m/134-00. Sophomore Mattie Pohl secured fourth place with a throw of 37.67m/12307, while Burge followed closely in fifth with a mark of 37.26m/122-03. Nelson exhibited her prowess in the heptathlon, securing fourth place with 4,144 points.

Doane looks ahead to their next challenge at the Concordia Twilight on Friday, May 10, in Seward.