Track & Field gain national qualifier at Bast-Cregger Invitational

SALEM, VA - The Columbia College Indoor Track & Field season opened on December 1st & 2nd at the Bast-Cregger Invitational in Salem, Virginia, hosted by Roanoke College. The Koalas had a fantastic meet and put up impressive numbers in this non-scoring meet. Overall, 12 new school records were set, along with 1 national qualifying mark.

First-year student Amber Boyd had a huge weekend setting 4 school records that include the 60 meter dash (8.10), the 200 meter dash (27.86), high jump (1.53 meters), and the 4 x 200m relay (1:49.02). Amber's teammates on the record setting 4 x 200m team were sophomore Aleah Haltiwanger, first-year Kori Kunkle, and first-year Kelsey White-Kennedy. That team finished in 2nd place during their race.

Kelsey White-Kennedy continued her excellent weekend by running 9.07 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles. That set a new school record in the event and met the B standard requirement to qualify her for the NAIA Indoor National Championships in Pittsburgh, KS this coming March.

Junior Lauren Glencross, took 1st place and set a new school record in the 600 meters with a great time of 1:41.48, just missing the standard for nationals by 2.7 seconds. Lauren then anchored the 4 x 400m relay team to a 3rd place finish and a new school record. Her teammates on that school record relay were senior Katie Kopp, first-year Julisa Echeverria, and sophomore Alyssa Waibel.

Senior Yasmine Keeley finished in 2nd place in the long jump with a new school record of 5.42 meters, just 3 centimeters shy of punching her ticket to nationals. First-year Courtney Lambert set a pair of school records in the 300 meters (50.12) and the 500 meters (1:38.64).

Sophomore Bryanna Sims and senior Amber Waynick, traded the school's weight throw record back and forth during the course of the competition. Bryanna would ultimately have the best throw of the day with a 12.09 meter mark which was good enough for 4th place. Amber threw 11.97 meters for 6th place. Sophomore Iris Duke continued the Koala's great day in the throwing events with a new school record in the shot put of 10.18 meters and finished in 8th place.

The Koala's Distance Medley Relay team finished in 3rd place, which comprised of senior Tay Mavins, first-year Averi Goss, first-year Julisa Echeverria, and senior Annika Wicht. Tay Mavins also had a 6th place finish in the 1000 meter race just in front of her teammate, senior Irene Requena, who finished in 8th place. Sophomore Alyssa Waibel had a pair of 5th place finishes in both the 5000 meters and the mile.

The Koalas next indoor track meet will be on January 7th at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, NC.

by. Justin Bishop