The Dordt University 4x400 relay qualified for nationals in the final race to conclude a great weekend for the Defenders at the University of South Dakota Early Bird Invite held in Vermillion, S.D.
Competing in the final race of the day, the Defenders quartet of
Anmarie Stuit,
Shelby Buwalda,
Mika Kooistra and
Emilee Heynen took first and hit the 'B' standard in the 4x400 relay. They finished with a time of 3:55.79, currently No.1 in the GPAC and No.8 in the NAIA. Dordt's second relay team of
Ayda Den Herder,
Anna Herman,
Lydia Herman and
Riley Gutridge finished fifth.
Another Defenders relay, the 4x100, placed eighth overall with a time of 51.12, which currently sits No.5 in the GPAC.Â
Final numbers from the weekend for the Defenders:
- 3 national qualifiers
- 12 top 10 finishes
- 12 times / marks that rank in the Defenders all-time top 12 list
- 29 personal bests
National Qualifiers:
Defenders In The Top 10 (Saturday):
- 4x100 - 8th: 51.12
- Nikkel, Herman, De Lay, Den Herder
- No.5 in GPAC
- 4x400 - 1st: 3:55.79
- Stuit, Buwalda, Kooistra, Heynen
- NAIA 'B'
- No.8 in NAIA
- No.1 in GPAC
- No.11 time in program history
- 4x400 - 5th: 4:14.96
- Den Herder, Herman, Herman, Gutridge
Defenders In The Top 10 (Friday):
- 3000m Steeplechase:
- Taylor Anema - 4th: 11:22.76
- NAIA 'B' standard
- 6th fastest time in the NAIA
- #1 time in the GPAC
- #2 time in program history
- Elyse Kuperus - 5th: 11:38.96
- personal best
- #5 time in program history
- #2 time in the GPAC
- 800m:
- 10,000m:Â
Defenders With a Time / Mark in our All-Time Top 12, not listed above:
Personal Bests:
