The NMU outdoor track and field team continues to excel in its endeavors as it made its way to Midland, Mich. to compete in the Northwood Invitational. Team scores were not kept but head coach Tom Barnes said that never stops the ’Cats from giving their best effort in any event they participate in.
Barnes also said that as always he is happy with the way his team has come together and expects to see great things from here on out.
“We are going to have some tough meets for the next few weeks but I have confidence in this team that we will do well,” Barnes said. “We will be working on a high-intensity workout schedule and just basically preparing to end on a good note for the rest of the season.”
Jamie Roberts broke her old school record in the pole vault, clearing 11-7 3/4 and tied with two others for first place.
Catherine Angeli won the 100-meter dash with teammate Brittnee Balbierz coming in sixth. Angeli also finished third in the 200 dash. Balbierz was 10th in the event. Sara Turschak (third), Katrina Lamansky (fifth) and Sydney Schultz (eighth) finished in the top 10 in the 400 dash.
Nora Kiilunen was third in the 800. Christina Turman was fourth while Kiilunen was fifth and Alicia Romano was eight in the 1500. Olivia Juntila, Chelsea Farquhar and Rita Woitas were ninth, 10th and 11th in the 5,000.
Bailey Franklin finished second in the 100 hurdles while Melissa Christensen was fourth and Stephanie Hahn seventh. Colby West was fourth in the 400 hurdles. Kristen Schulz was fourth in the 3,000 steeplechase.
Both the 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay teams its events. Samara White, Balbierz, Katy Lafayatte and Angeli were on the 4×100 team. Lamansky, West, Turschak and Schultz were on the 4×400 squad.
Brooke Granquist tied for fourth in the high jump. Melissa Christensen and Brooke Granquist finished first and second in the heptathlon. Samara White and Delaney Lovett were fifth and sixth in the long jump. Bailey Franklin won the triple jump as teammates Lovett (third), Christensen (sixth) and Mariah Beamen (eighth) also competed. Beamen was second in the javelin throw.
The Wildcats will be losing five seniors after the track season has ended. Senior captains Brittnee Balbierz and Kristen Schulz, along with Kristen Hoklas, Jessica Krob, and Kristina Turman.
Balbierz said that she is still trying to figure out where the time went, but has had a lot of fun these past four years being a part of a team here at NMU.
“This team has such a great attitude and not being able to compete with them next year will be tough,” Balbierz said. “I just had such a great sense of accomplishment being around this team and not being able to compete next year is going to be tough. Overall though, it’s been a great ride and it’s one I’ll never forget.”
Senior captain Kristen Schulz said that she will also miss the chance to compete and admits it will be hard to leave this great group of people behind.
“It’s hard to leave a team that you are close with, especially when we all have such good chemistry together,” Schulz said. “Having a chance to be a captain of this team gave me a chance to be a leader and that will always be something I’m grateful for.”
