The Dordt University women's track and field season enjoyed another outstanding day on the track at the final day of the NAIA Outdoor Championships held at Wildcats Stadium in Marion, Ind. The three-day championship was hosted by Indiana Wesleyan.
The Defenders competed in two event finals today as both the 4x400 relay and
Elyse Kuperus (Steeplechase) qualified with their time in their respective prelim earlier in the week.
A day after posting the eighth fastest time in the prelim, the Defenders 4x400 relay bettered their place by one as they finished seventh in a loaded final featuring the NAIA's best. The familiar quarter of Defender runners,
Anmarie Stuit,
Shelby Buwalda,
Mika Kooistra and
Emilee Heynen, ran a season-best time of 3:49.51 with Heynen running an incredible 56.11 split in her anchor leg. The overall time ranks sixth all-time at Dordt.
"The women's 4x400 was an exciting race," stated Head Coach Craig Heynen. These ladies pulled off a very difficult 4x8 / 4x4 double. They were in contention the entire race and finished with one of their fastest times of the season."
Kuperus, competing in the first race on championship Friday, finished 12th in the 3000m steeplechase, moving up one spot from the standings after Wednesday's prelim. The senior ran the second fastest time of her career, crossing the finish line in 11:13.85.
Dordt finished 32nd out of 138 teams with eight points. British Columbia captured its second consecutive national title and totaled 104 points, followed by William Carey with 71 points.
Defender Results:
- Elyse Kuperus - 3000m Steeplechase Finals:
- 12th place - 11:13.85
- 2nd fastest time for her career
- seeded 17th coming into the championships
- 4x400 Relay Finals:
