The Dordt University women's track and field team had an outstanding showing at their home meet held today at the Defenders Recreation Center.Â
Competing in their third meet of the indoor season and first after the Christmas break, the Defenders found success in a wide array of events as they won five individual running events, three field events and a pair of relays.
The Defenders swept all three sprint races with first place finishes in the 60m, 200m and 400m. Both
Erika Nikkel and
Ayda Den Herder won the first individual titles of their respective careers by taking first in the 60m and 200m, respectively.
Anmarie Stuit edged out teammate
Emilee Heynen to claim the championship in a loaded 400m field. Stuit turned in the third fastest time in the GPAC (59.54) and 10th fastest in program history. Heynen's time (59.6) is fourth fastest in the conference.
Bethany Ten Haken delivered the Defenders first victory of the meet, winning the 1000m with the ninth fastest time in the GPAC to date (3:18.79).
Molly Mulder won the mile in the first race of her collegiate career, crossing the finish line with the fastest time in the GPAC (5:25).Â
The Defenders faired just as well in the field events, winning the high jump, long jump and triple jump.
Emily Wingert cleared 1.54m, tied for the eighth best mark in the conference, to win the high jump.
Ashley Vandermeer won the long jump (5.03m) and
Paige Decker took first place in the triple jump (10.68m). This was the first individual title for all three of these athletes.
Dordt won both relays today, taking first in the 4x200 (Herman, Evenhouse, Nikkel, Wingert) and 4x400 (Stuit, Buwalda, Heynen, Kooistra).
Defenders with a top 10 mark in the GPAC today
Defender Winners:
Defenders With A Top Five Finish:
60m:
200m:
400m:
800m:
1000m:
Mile:
3000m:
60m Hurdles:
4x200 - 1st: Herman, Evenhouse, Nikkel, Wingert
       2nd: De Jong, Vander Kooi, Vanderwoude, Day
4x400 - 1st: Stuit, Buwalda, Heynen, Kooistra
       3rd: Den Herder, Herman, Struble, Struble
High Jump:
Pole Vault:
- 2nd - Saydie Clark: 3.12m (PR, #5 in GPAC, 8th best in program history)
Long Jump:
Triple Jump:
Shot Put:
Weight Throw:
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