The Northern Michigan University track and field team began the outdoor season in Oshkosh, Wis. where the Wildcats placed third in the UW-Oshkosh Open.

The Wildcats competed against five other schools on Saturday, April 6 and scored 106 points en route to their third place finish. NMU competed against schools such as Michigan Tech, Ripon College, Lawrence University and host school University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

The schools competing at the outdoor meet were hit with some colder weather. Head coach Cheree Hicks said while it is something to expect during this part of the year, it certainly has an effect on the athletes.

“It was in the 30s and there was some rain and sleet at some point,” Hicks said. “I definitely think it played a factor in the competition. In the spring season when you are trying to run fast events, the cold temperature is not your friend.”

In the 5,000-meter run, the Wildcat’s had six runners place in the top 10. Senior Mallory Celaya and sophomore Olivia Howard took first and second place. Celaya won first place after running for a time of 18:50.84, while Howard placed second with a time of 19:04.33. Sophomore Emily Allen, junior Brittany Loomis and seniors Rita Woitas and Evelyn Ruiz also placed in the top 10 for the ’Cats.

In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Celaya and Ruiz placed first and second, as well. Celaya won her second event, running for a time of 12:30.28 and Ruiz followed up her teammate after running for a time of 12:52.50.

Senior and captain Delaney Lovett sat out of the competition this week. Lovett said the combination of the cold weather and a nagging injury was enough for her to decide to not push her luck.

“I traveled, but the weather conditions weren’t good and I didn’t want to risk further injury by jumping without being fully warmed up,” Lovett said. “I’ll jump one of the next two weekends and at GLIACs.”

Even though Lovett was not able to participate in her field events at the meet, Lovett said that it didn’t stop her from supporting her squad.

“When I wasn’t staying warm in the locker room,” Lovett said. “I was basically a cheerleader and videographer.”

In the field events, senior Mariah Beaman and junior Cheyenne Stewart had top five finishes in their respective events. Stewart competed in the long jump where she took third place after clearing a distance of 5.14 meters. Stewart also competed in the Triple Jump and placed fourth after jumping a distance of 10.26 meters.

Beaman competed in the javelin throw, where she placed second after a throw that went for a distance of 35.49 meters. Beaman also participated in the long jump but did not place in the event.

The 4×400 relay squad took fourth place with juniors Katie Granquist and Elizabeth Simak, freshman Jaylee Brown and sophomore Catherine Swiderski ran the event for a time of 4:56.66.

At the end of the events, Winona State Warriors won the meet with a total of 221 points on the day. UW-Oshkosh Titans took second place with a total of 192 points. Hicks said  her only focus is to get her team better as the outdoor season moves along.

“The goal for the team is to do their best and make the most of every opportunity the girls get,” Hicks said. “Whether we’re in the rain, snow, and cold temperatures or in 80 degree weather on a sunny day. That’s an opportunity and we are going to make the most of it no matter what we are dealt.”

The Wildcats will be hitting the track once again at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 for the Hillsdale Invitational at Hillsdale, Mich.