CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Junior Ashley Tutt (Channahon, Ill./Minooka) of the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team set a new school record in the 10,000 meters at the Virginia Challenge as the Huskies competed in a trio of events this weekend, traveling to the Michael Johnson Invitational and the James Madison Invitational, in addition to Virginia. 

Tutt ran a time of 33:24.96 on Friday night (April 16) in the 10,000, finishing second behind only Syracuse's Amanda Vestri, who set meet and facility records with a time of 32:43.15. Tutt's new school record time bettered the previous mark of 33:58.77, which she also owned and set at the NCAA Preliminary Round on May 24, 2018. Tutt's time ranks in the top-15 nationally this season. 

"Ashley did exactly what the plan was," said NIU Distance Coach Adrian Myers. "We wanted to run a conservative first eight kilometers, going out fairly slow then picking it up to 79-80 second laps to then try and close very quickly. Ashley closed the last 400 meters in 73 (seconds) with the last mile in 5:06. She was able to get a safe NCAA mark, and on tired legs from training. She's going to be so ready in the weeks ahead and I am so proud of Ashley and what she did out there."

Also at Virginia, sophomore Brooke Lytle (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West) ran a season-best time of 10:57.18 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase while freshman Janae Dean (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) and senior Victoria Robinson (Lansing, Kan./Kansas State) both posted season best times in the 800 meters. Dean ran 2:13.27 in the 800 while Robinson clocked in with a time of 2:16.16.

At Baylor's Michael Johnson Invitational on Saturday (April 17), senior Remy Amarteifio (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) ran a top-10 time of 13.75 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles. 

Junior Jazmyn Smith (Pinecrest, Fla./Gulliver Prep) also had a top-10 finish in the long jump in Texas. Smith's top leap of the day measured 5.87 meters (19-03.25), on her third attempt of the competition. 

"We traveled from DeKalb to Baylor hoping for sunshine and warm temps, and that just didn't happen," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "Our performances were not actually what we were shooting for as far as times, throws and jumps. However, the execution and focus the athletes displayed today showed improvement.   

"We are ready to do some big things, we just need a break in the weather for training outside and at our last competition before MAC. It's hard to stay focused and perform in the rain and cold temps, but I was definitely impressed with our athletes and how they handled themselves despite the conditions. We walk away healthy and live to battle another day. That's a Blessing we will accept."

Next weekend, the Huskies will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Drake Relays. The three-day meet begins on Thursday, April 22 and continues through Saturday, April 24. 

Virginia Challenge

800-meter run 
31. Janae Dean, 2:13.27
40. Victoria Robinson, 2:16.16

1,500-meter run
43. Nora Finegan, 4:40.11

3,000-meter steeplechase 
21. Brooke Lytle, 10:57.18

10,000-meter run 
2. Ashley Tutt, 33:24.96

JMU Invitational

800-meter run
8. Nora Finegan, 2:14.51

Michael Johnson Invitational

100-meter dash
28. Jazmyn Smith, 12.29

200-meter dash
30. Scout Regular, 27.06

400-meter dash
18. Jahnetta Jones, 57.10
22. Kaitlyn Lewis, 57.69

800-meter run
37. Britnie Dixon, 2:20.58

100-meter hurdles
10. Remy Amarteifio, 13.75
28. Scout Regular, 15.08

400-meter hurdles
14. Kennedy Crawford, 1:02.89

High Jump
13. Taylor Ramsey, 1.56m

Long Jump
8. Jazmyn Smith, 5.87m
17. Kenyae Majors, 5.55m

Triple Jump
15. Diamond Riley, 11.94m
16. Kenyae Majors, 11.71m

Shot Put
11. Fatima Stingily, 11.40m