BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Three event victories in field events highlighted the return to action for the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team as they competed for the first time in 2021 at the Bowling Green Opener on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 16).

Senior Kenyae Majors (Burlington, N.C./Hugh Cummings) won the long jump, freshman Kendal Only (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) claimed the triple jump and sophomore DaeLin Switzer (Decatur, Ill./St. Teresa) tied for top honors in the high jump in the first meet for the Huskies since last season's MAC Indoor Championship. NIU also finished first in the 4x400 meter relay as junior Kadeja Campbell (St. Ann, Jamaica/Southern-New Orelans), junior Kaitlyn Lewis (Liberty, Mo./Liberty), freshman Janae Dean (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) and sophomore Jahnetta Jones (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) closed the meet with an event win. 

"What an awesome feeling being back on the track," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "Our track athletes and staff have been waiting since March to get into competitive mode. Now that our chance is here, we want to capitalize on every opportunity given. 

"With the extended time off, our athletes are not where they left off, but they have been working extremely hard to get back where they were before COVID changed our lives. See MAC competition today gave us a sense of what we need to work on and how far we have to go. Working through timing, pacing, strength and confidence, we will get there one day at a time and one practice at a time. I'm proud of the athlete's efforts and excited to see where their hard work takes them this season."

In the high jump, Majors bettered the field with a mark of 5.58 meters (18-03.75), ahead of junior teammate Jazmyn Smith (Pinecrest, Fla./Gulliver Prep) who was second with a mark of 5.50 meters (18-00.50). 

Only took first in the triple jump with a leap of 11.51 meters (37-09.25) while Switzer tied with Jenelle Rogers of Ball State and Bowling Green's Katherine Mendenhall in the high jump, with all three clearing 1.65 meters (5-05) without a miss before failing to clear 1.70m. 

In the 4x400 meters to close the meet, the NIU quartet of Campbell, Lewis, Dean and Jones clocked in with a time of 3:54.10, two seconds ahead of Bowling Green (3:56.08). 

Elsewhere, junior Kimone Hines (Hanover, Jamaica/Southern-New Orleans) recorded the top seed in the 60 meter prelims at 7.59 seconds before scratching out of the final while Dean, senior Brynn Bartlett (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) and senior Maggie Cavanaugh (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) took second, third and fourth, respectively, in the mile. 

NIU will return to action next Saturday, January 23, at the Mike Lints Alumni Meet, hosted by Grand Valley State, in Allendale, Mich.


60-meter Hurdles
1. Remy Amarteifio (unattached), 8.61
3. Scout Regular, 9.06
5. Taylor Ramsey, 9.36

60-Meter Prelims
1. Kimone Hines, 7.59
9. Skylynn Blue, 7.87
15. Kenyae Majors, 8.16
17. Scout Regular, 8.32

200-Meter Dash
4. Remy Amarteifio (unattached), 25.76

800-Meter Run
3. Kennedy Crawford, 2:25.33

Mile Run
2. Janae Dean, 5:22.46
3. Brynn Bartlett, 5:25.50
4. Maggie Cavanaugh, 5:36.63

4x400-Meter Relay
1. Campbell, Lewis, Dean, Jones, 3:54.10
6. Switzer, Blue, Regular, Crawford, 4:16.14

Weight Throw
6. Fatima Stingily, 12.49m

Shot Put
7. Fatima Stingily, 10.69m (35-1.00)

High Jump
T1. DaeLin Switzer, 1.65m (5-5.00)
6. Taylor Ramsey, 1.60m (5-3.00)

Long Jump
1. Kenyae Majors, 5.58m (18-3.75)
2. Jazmyn Smith, 5.50m (18-0.50)
7. Kendal Only, 4.50m (14-9.25)

Triple Jump
1. Kendal Only, 11.51m (37-9.25)