AMES, Iowa – Junior Ashley Tutt (Channahon, Ill./Minooka) of the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team set a new school record in the 5,000 meters on Friday afternoon (Feb. 12) at the Iowa State Classic. 

Tutt posted a time of 16:01.20, breaking her own school record of 16:20.13, set last season at the Iowa State Classic (Feb. 14, 2020). The Huskie junior finished fourth, third among collegians, in a talented 16-runner field.

"Ashley crossed over tonight to the very elite side of indoor track & field at the collegiate level," said NIU assistant coach Adrian Myers. "Breaking 16 minutes indoors for the women's 5K is a lot like breaking the well-known "4-minute mile barrier" for the men indoors. Both represent a very elite club to be a part of. 

"What has us most optimistic about her long-term goals is how she did it off a fairly modest early pace tonight. We wanted to run around 9:38 through 3K to set up some wiggle room for getting under 16, but it was closer to 9:43 and Ash took the pace and lead some laps to kick the pace back up. Then she was able to close outstandingly fast over the final 3-4 laps to make up time. Her final 400m of the race was about 71 seconds.

"After the weekend is wrapped up, I believe she will be inside the NCAA top-16 in position to qualify for the indoor national championships. That meet is the hardest national championship to qualify for in our sport, so to do that would be well deserved and a hard-earned honor for Ashley. She's worked very hard for this and she's ready for anything."

On Saturday (Feb. 13), senior Mackenzie Callahan (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) claimed season in the mile with a personal-best time of 4:47.42, behind only Colorado's Sage Hurta (4:31.80). Callahan became the second-fastest Huskie in the mile in program history. 

5,000-meter run
4. Ashley Tutt, 16:01.20

Mile run
2. Mackenzie Callahan, 4:47.42


ALLENDALE, Mich. – Junior Jazmyn Smith (Pinecrest, Fla./Gulliver Prep) won the long jump and junior Diamond Riley (St. Louis, Mo./Ritenour) took top honors in the triple jump as the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team competed at the GVSU Big Meet on Friday (Feb. 12). 

"It's a good feeling when you work hard, make major sacrifices and you begin to reap the benefits from your sacrifices," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "That's where the athletes are.  COVID has them in a bubble away from family and friend to minimize the possibility of contracting the disease. It's hard because we know family motives the athletes just as much as the staff and teammates at competitions. For them not to have family support at competitions is different, but not hindering for the ladies.  

"Now we are seeing school and personal records being broken, major moves up on the MAC and NCAA list, confidence rising, and a fire we need in them for the MAC Championships. It's all happening at the right time. We have a week and a half to fine tune before the MAC Championships and their mental and physical training are set to peak perfectly. We can't let up, we have to keep grinding."

Smith led a Huskie one-two in the long jump as she recorded a mark of 5.89 meters (19-04.00) to take the top spot. The junior from Pinecrest, Fla., posted her best mark on her first jump of the meet and nearly matched it on her final jump when she measured 5.88m. Senior Kenyae Majors (Burlington, N.C./Hugh Cummings) took second in the long jump with a mark of 5.82 meters (19-01.25) on her fifth leap. 

In the triple jump, Riley won the competition with a mark of 11.64 meters (38-02.25) on her third attempt, finishing just ahead of Grand Valley State's Anna Obi who finished second with a mark of 11.62m (38-01.50). 

NIU also had top-three finished in the 200 and 400 meters as junior Kimone Hines (Hanover, Jamaica/Southern-New Orleans) claimed third in the 200 with a time of 24.42 seconds. Sophomore Jahnetta Jones (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) was third in the 400, clocking in with a time of 56.29 seconds. 

The Huskies will now turn their attention to the final regular season meet of the indoor season at the Ball State Tune-Up in Muncie, Ind., on Thursday, February 18. 

60-meter dash
15. Jazmyn Smith, 7.88

60-meter hurdles
7. Scout Regular 8.82, (8.93q)

200-meter dash
3. Kimone Hines, 24.42
8. Skylynn Blue, 25.04

400-meter dash
3. Jahnetta Jones, 56.29
7. Kaitlyn Lewis, 56.65
10. Kennedy Crawford, 56.96

800-meter run
9. Janae Dean, 2:13.92
12. Victoria Robinson, 2:14.91
14. Brooke Lytle, 2:15.73
17. Julia Finegan, 2:17.22
23. Brynn Bartlett, 2:19.91

Mile run
10. Nora Finegan, 5:01.66
25. Maggie Cavanaugh, 5:24.16

3000-meter run
12. Sara Atkins, 10:12.88
14. Hannah Ricci, 10:17.72
18. Kaitlin Miller, 10:25.73

Weight throw
29. Fatima Stingily, 13.60m (44-07.50)

Shot put
14. Fatima Stingily, 11.98m (39-03.75)

Long jump
1. Jazmyn Smith, 5.89m (19-04.00)
2. Kenyae Majors, 5.82m (19-01.25)
11. Scout Regular, 5.22m (17-01.50)

Triple jump
1. Diamond Riley, 11.64m (38-02.25)
4. Kendal Only, 11.19m (36-08.50)

High jump 
8. Taylor Ramsey, 1.65m (5-05.00)
13. DaeLin Switzer, 1.61m (5-03.25)