Posted: Mar 18, 2022

Koala Women Have Impressive Opener at CIU

The Columbia College women's track and field team had an impressive showing at its first meet of the 2022 outdoor season. The Koalas opened at the CIU Invite, Friday-Saturday, Mar. 18-19.

The Koalas had 21 individuals to qualify for the 2022 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships, seven on the track and 14 in the field.

The top qualifiers on the track were freshman Izabelle Trefts and junior Valeria Bogdanova. Trefts and Bogdanova each set school records in their respective events. Trefts set the 5000m racewalk record with a time of 22:40.17, while Bogdanova set the record in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 12:26.54. Both times were also AAC outdoor championships qualifying times.

In addition, Trefts, Victoria Heiser-Whatley, and Jessica Heiser-Whatley all qualified for the NAIA 2022 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5000m racewalk.

Koala 2022 AAC Outdoor Track and Field Qualifiers

100m - Rekia Polk

200m - Rekia Polk, Camara Middleton, Amiri Mason

400m - Grace Wright, Jaida Mack

10,000m - Valeria Bogdanova, Esther Ekundayo

5000m Racewalk - Izabelle Trefts, Jessica Heiser-Whatley, Victoria Heiser-Whatley, Shelby Winn, Ariana Pratt

100m hurdles - Zhaire Casteal, Zykirah Davis

3000m Steeplechase - Valeria Bogdanova, Esther Ekundayo

High Jump - Grace Wright

Long Jump - Kamarie Goodman

Shot Put - Aleah Bromell, Darci Dawson, Zaida Carson, Kristen Banks, Zykirah Davis, Aliyah Overton

Discus - Kristen Bailey Banks, Aleah Bromell, Zaida Carson, Darci Dawson