Eastern Michigan University’s women’s track and field team competed in East Lansing at the 2014 Spartan Invitational, April 4-5, hosted by Michigan State University.
The majority of the event took place at Ralph Young Track and Field Facility, while the hammer, discus, and javelin throws took place at Munn Field.
The meet was not team scored but the Eagles came away with victories in over half of their events, winning six out of 11 events on both the track and field.
Leading the way on the track for the Green and White victories was sophomore Aaliyah McKinney with a win in the 100m dash. McKinney finished in 12.32, followed by junior teammate Danielle Clark who finished in 12.32 to give the Eagles a 1-2 punch in the event.
Also coming in strong with a fourth place finish in this event was sophomore Morgan Yeadon at 12.70. This trio joined forces with sophomore Iesha Hardiman to claim first place wins in both the 4×100m and 4×400m relays. The four finished the 4×100m in 46.86 before pacing the team of three seniors and one junior, Sarah Chauchard, Pauline Chiariglione, Kate Wolanin, and Marina Manion-Rivadulla, respectively. The A squad finished with a time of 3:55.87 for the win with the B team close behind and taking second with a time of 3:56.43.
The Eagles took second and third in the 400m dash with Hardiman coming in at 58.70 and junior Agata Klimavich at 59.11, a personal-best.
Senior Tiara Oates and freshman Natalie Uy recorded matching marks of 27.41 to tie for 11th place in the 200m dash.
Wrapping up the action on the track, junior Taylor Knoll led the way for three Eagle runners in the 1500m, finishing with a personal-best 4:46.15.
The Green and White earned three more victories on the track, beginning with Wolanin in the high jump. The senior cleared a height of 1.68 meters/5 feet 6.00 inches to take a first in the event.
In the long jump, freshman Janina Pollatz leapt a distance of 5.46 meters/17 feet 11.00 inches for a first place finish and a personal-best, while Oates finished just one centimeter behind her teammate for the runner-up finish (5.45 meters/17 feet 10.75 inches).
The Eagles managed a 1-2-3 finish in the hammer throw, led by junior Lydia Gomez-Diaz with a 49.71-meter/163 foot 1 inch launch.
Redshirt freshman Reagan Briggs took second with a personal-best of 44.37 meters/145 feet 7 inches. Junior Adrienne Waisner rounded out the top-three with a throw of 43.05 meters/141 feet 3 inches.
The Eagles’ women’s harrier team will head south to Knoxville, TN for their next competition when they take part in the Sea Ray Relays April 10-12.
