The Dordt University women's track and field team made their season debut at the SDSU Holiday Open and 18 Defender entries recorded a top 10 finish on the day.
Competing against athletes from primarily NCAA D-I and D-II programs, the Defenders performed well in their first meet of the 2025-26 indoor season.
Shelby Buwalda and
Jada Koerner recorded a runner-up finish in their respective event, posting the best placing by a Defenders on the day.
Buwalda finished second to an unattached runner (Sara Reifenrath) in the 600m with a time of 1:34.95, just over a second off her personal best. Buwalda's time hit the NAIA 'B' standard and qualifies her for the NAIA Indoor Championships.Â
Koerner placed second overall in the 5000m with a personal-best time of 18:26.79, trailing only Emaleigh Olesiak (Northern State) who crossed the finish line in 18;03. Koerner's time ranks eighth fastest all-time in Defenders history.
Makenna Walhof established a school record and finished seventh overall in today's weight throw. The junior qualified for the finals with a 16-07 on her second attempt and then bettered that mark with a 16.61m (54-06) on her final toss, just four centimeters away from the 'B' standard. Walhof eclipsed her own program record by nearly one foot (old mark: 53'6.5".
Fran Travis placed 10th overall in the weight throw with a personal-best mark of 16.03m / 52-07.25, second best all-time in program history. The sophomore also finished 11th in the shot put with a program top 10 mark of 12.50m / 41-00.25, second best all-time.
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Defenders With Top 10 Finish:
- 200m:
- 600m:
- 3000m:
- 5000m:
- High Jump:
- Long Jump:
- Weight Throw:
- 4x400 Relay - 4th: 3:59.02
- Den Herder, Altena, Wercinski, Buwalda
Times / Mark in the All-Time Top 10:
