Women's Track & Field Performs well at UNC-Asheville Meet

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The Columbia College women's track and field team competed at the Div. I and II Bulldog Invitational at UNC-Asheville over the weekend.

Leading the sprinters on Friday evening in the 100m Hurdles was indoor All-American, sophomore Mackenzie Pringle as she finished 4th of 22 in a time of 14.6 seconds as she ran the fastest time among non-D1 schools. Also running well was freshman Ziykila Henderson as she finished 12th in the Hurdles (4th among D-2) in 16.5 seconds to set a new top 100 NAIA time.

Earlier on Friday in the 100 meters, the Lady Koalas were led by sophomore Mykayla Howard placing 9th out of 47 in a time of 12.54 seconds while she was 3rd among D-2 schools. Fellow sophomore Kwamecia Marks then finished 16th in 12.68 seconds while freshman Faith Eugene set a personal record with a time of 12.8 sec to finish 20th. Z. Henderson also ran the 100 and finished 42nd in 13.6 seconds.

In the 200 meters on Saturday, Columbia was led by M. Howard running a time of 26.3 seconds to tie for 13th place out of 37 and was 2nd among D-2s. Marks also competed and placed 20th in 26.9 seconds while Eugene was 23rd in 27.1 seconds. Henderson finished tied for 27th in 27.9 seconds while freshman Jordyn Gilliam was 32nd in 28.9 seconds in the 200m as well.

In the Distance events, the ladies were led by senior Juliana Gonzalez placing in a tie of 19th out of 43 in the 1500 meters on Friday evening running a time of 5:11 while sophomore Avarose Buccino finished 33rd in 5:39.

In the field events, the Koalas were led by throwers Qu'Sondra Wideman and Anaya Canty and jumpers Makayla Blango and Pringle. Blango, a sophomore, finished 2nd overall out of 35 in the Long Jump on Friday to post a top 30 NAIA score with a mark of 5.44 meters (17 ft) while M. Howard was 18th (9th among non D1) with a jump of 4.9m for her personal record.

Pringle then led the way on Saturday in the Triple Jump placing 3rd overall at 11.5 meters (37.8 ft) while Blango was 12th of 21 at 10.87 meters.

In the Discus Throw on Saturday morning, Wideman finished 10th of 40 with a mark of 35.1 meters (115 ft) for her season-best while freshman Kezia Jones was 17th in 32.1 meters. Also competing in the Discus was sophomore Azia Holmes as she placed 32nd at 23.2 meters.

In the Hammer Throw on Friday, the senior Canty led all Koalas finishing 11th of 35 with a throw of 42.87 meters (140 ft) and was the top finisher among non-D1 schools. Holmes also competed in the Hammer and placed 24th at 34.1 meters. Freshman Amelia Nifong placed 24th in the Javelin Throw (12th among non-D1) as well on Saturday with a mark of 12.95 meters (42.5 ft) while Holmes fouled out.

During the Shot Put on Friday afternoon, Azia Holmes led CC by placing 16th (4th among non D1) of 37 with a throw of 10.33 meters (33 ft) while K. Jones was 25th at 8.68 meters. Wideman was also 30th at 7.87 in the SP as well.