Second behind Grand Valley State after two days
ALLENDALE, Mich. – What a day it was for the Northern Michigan Track & Field team at day two of the Outdoor GLIAC Championships. A win, five total podium finishes, three new school records, and four NCAA provisional marks highlighted the day for the Green and Gold.
In the javelin, Teiolla Harvey threw a school-record distance of 40.86m to stake her claim on Northern’s first-ever victory in the event at the GLIAC Championships. Wilme Els was also impressive, taking 2nd with a throw of 40.20m. The two are now the only Wildcats to ever eclipse the 40-meter mark in the javelin.
Another 2nd place finish came from Crystal Walker as she narrowly edged her own school record (5.92m) with a 5.93m leap in the 5th round of the long jump while also hitting an NCAA provisional mark.
One wasn’t enough for Walker, as she also set a school record on the track, running the 100m hurdle prelims in a time of 13.68. She broke Ellyse Wolfrath’s record of 13.82 set earlier this season. Wolfrath would also break her own record in that same race, recording a time of 13.76. Both were improved NCAA provisional marks. They will run in tomorrow’s final.
The longest race in track, Skylar Grubb came through for Northern in the 10000m. Taking off over 30 seconds from her PR and hitting an NCAA provisional mark, Grubb finished in 3rd place with a time of 35:52.42 to become just the second Wildcat to ever podium in the event, joining NMU Hall of Famer Kameron Burmeister.
The Green and Gold also found success in the heptathlon. Natasha Nowakowski finished in 3rd and is just the fourth Wildcat to grab a podium finish in the heptathlon.
Heading to the final day with 16 of 21 finals still to take place, the Wildcats are in 2nd place with 41 points behind Grand Valley State (56).
On the Track
The 10000m final was the final event of the day, with Skylar Grubb posting the second-best time in school history at 35:52.42 for 3rd place. She trimmed over 33 seconds off of her PR. Sophia Potter finished in 5th with a time of PR of 37:28.71.
In the 100m hurdle prelims, the senior duo of Crystal Walker and Ellyse Wolfrath thoroughly impressed with the two best times in school history and a 1-2 finish. Walker ran a time of 13.68, which breaks Wolfrath’s school record of 13.82 set earlier this season. Wolfrath followed right behind with a new PR of 13.76. The two currently sit at 15th and 19th in the nation, respectively. Sofi Diop also qualified for tomorrow’s final with a time of 14.73.
Ahna Larson advanced to the 400m hurdle final with a qualifying time of 1:02.87, which was the 3rd-best mark.
In the 1500m prelims, two Wildcats advanced to the finals. Lamar Gordon had the 3rd-best time at 4:45.71 and Ella DeBruyn was 7th with a time of 4:48.19.
Beverly Harper placed 4th in the 800m prelims with a time of 2:19.85, punching her ticket to tomorrow’s final. Ciara Ostrenga qualified for both the 200m and the 400m final, posting a time of 25.04 in the 200m and 56.91 in in the 400m preliminary round.
Dani Van Lente placed 8th in the 3000m steeplechase final, recording a personal best of 11:19.02.
In the Field
Northern dominated the javelin throw by obtaining two of the three podium spots. Teiolla Harvey claimed first place with a school record throw of 40.86m. Wilme Els wasn’t far behind at 40.20m to take silver. The two now sit at first and second in the NMU record books, and are the only two to ever throw over 40 meters in the Green and Gold.
After setting a school record in the 100m hurdles on the track, Walker took to the field and earned a 2nd place podium finish in the long jump backed by another school record and NCAA provisional mark jump of 5.93m, edging her previous top-mark of 5.92m. Sofi Diop hit a PR of 5.72m to take 5th.
Heptathlon
The first event of the heptathlon was the 100m hurdles. Zonca took 3rd with a time of 15.39. Nowakowski was right behind in 4th at 16.34. Simposon finished at 17.14 for 9th. All three of those were personal records (PR’s).
The high jump followed, with Nowakowski and Simpson tying for 4th at 1.45m. Zonca finished in 8th, reaching 1.42m.
Nowakowski continued her strong start with a 1st place finish in the shot put, throwing a distance of 10.34m. Zonca claimed 5th, hitting 8.44m, followed by Simpson in 6th with a PR mark of 8.42m.
The 200m dash closed out the first day. Zonca finished 4th with a time of 26.95. Nowakowski was 9th at 28.25 and Simpson 12th at 29.43. All three times were PR’s.
The long jump got things going on Friday. Nowakowski was 4th with a distance of 4.83m, Zonca was 9th at 4.57m, and Simpson was 10th at 4.33m.
Nowakowski continued her push for a podium position with a 3rd place finish in the javelin, throwing 29.65m. Zonca threw 19.60m for 10th while Simpson hit 13.51m.
The 800m closed out the heptathlon. With a podium spot on the line, Nowakowski stepped up with a time of 2:43.39 to take 2nd in the event and grab the heptathlon’s bronze medal. Simpson finished in 6th in the 800m with a time of 2:46.07, and Zonca placed 9th at 2:55.37.
Overall, Nowakowski finished in 3rd, Zonca in 5th, and Simpson in 10th.
Up Next
The final day of the GLIAC Championships will take place on Friday.
