The Eastern Michigan University women’s track and field team took part in the Simmons Invitational on Jan. 18. The event took place at the University of Michigan and included athletes from Michigan, The University of Notre Dame, and Mid-American Conference opponent Bowling Green State University.
The Eagles racked up strong performances in all of the track and field events of the meet. Highlighting the track events was junior Victoria Voronko.
She finished as a runner-up in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:22.94, nearly 30 seconds ahead of the next competitor. Voronko’s time ranks first amongst MAC athletes and ninth in the nation. She was bested only by freshman Erin Finn of Michigan, an All-American and 2013 Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
For the second week in a row, Voronko has been named the Mid-American Conference indoor track athlete of the week. The award marks the second time in the 2013-14 season and third time in her career that she has been recognized for her efforts in indoor track.
EMU also had another Top 10 finish in the distance events, with sophomore Taylor Knoll taking an eighth place finish in the mile run.
Junior Danielle Clark sprinted to a sixth place finish with a time of 25.85 in the 200m. Sophomore Iesha Hardiman posted a 1:00.01 in the 400m.
EMU finished strong in the field events with four top-five performances. Senior Kate Wolanin and senior Pauline Chiariglione earned fourth and fifth place finishes respectively while freshman Natalie Uy earned fourth place in the pole vault.
Senior Sarah Chauchard rounded out the field events with a fifth in the long jump.
In the throwing events, junior Adrienne Waisner led the Eagles by hurling for a distance of 15.09 meters/49-feet 6.14 inches in the weight throw.
The Eagles will take a short hiatus as a team, but coach Sue Parks will send a small group of athletes to the University of Findlay to compete in the Findlay Classic on Jan. 24. Five Eagles will compete in the pentathlon while Voronko will represent EMU in the 5000m run.
EMU will then open up the month of February by hosting a quad meet on Saturday, Feb. 1 at home in Bowen Field House.
