WACO, Texas – Emma Vorpagel (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) earned a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run as the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team competed in Baylor's Michael Johnson Invitational this Friday and Saturday (April 19-20). Vorpagel's finish was one of seven top-20 performances for the Huskies.
"We had some highs and lows this weekend, but each athlete continues to improve aspects of their events," said NIU Director of Track and Field
Connie Teaberry. "We have two regular competitions left before conference and the athletes understand they have to capitalize on each. This is no time for doubt or going backwards just forward."
Vorpagel earned fourth in the 800 meters, winning heat four in a time of 2:14.33, just two one-hundredths of a second off her season-best time. TCU's Jasmin Muhammad-Graham won the 800 with a time of 2:08.09.
In the high jump,
Kamiya Dendy (Anderson, S.C./Auburn) claimed 11th and
Arianna Calloway (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs) tied for 12th as both cleared 1.63 meters (5-04.25). Dendy went over the bar at 1.63m on her second attempt while Calloway did so on her third, giving Dendy the tiebreaker. Cincinnati's Annika Kinley won the high jump, clearing 1.68 meters (5-06.00).
Kendal Only (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) earned a top-15 finish in the triple jump with a mark of 11.67 meters (38-03.50). After fouls on each of her first two attempts, Only recorded a clean jump on her third attempt to earn a 14th-place finish.
Malia Watkins (Upper Marlboro, Md./Missouri State) ran a season-best time of 24.38 seconds, the eighth-fastest time in the MAC this season, in the 200 meters to finish 22nd. Watkins was second in heat five behind just Kennedy Swann of Stephen F. Austin (24.23).
In the 100-meter dash, Watkins earned a spot in the top-20 with a time of 11.84 seconds. Watkins took 17th overall in the 44-runner field.
Henriette Halwas (Knittlingen, Germany/Lindsey Wilson) recorded a top-20 finish in the 100-meter hurdles, running a season-best time of 14.59. Halwas claimed third in the fourth of six heats to finish 20th overall.
Talayssia Sanders (Waco, Texas/Central Arkansas) took 20th in the 400 meters, running a time of 56.58 seconds, less than one-tenth of a second off her season-best time.
The Huskies will return to action next weekend when they travel to a pair of meets, competing at the Drake Relays, Thursday-Saturday, April 25-27 and at the ONU Outdoor Invitational on Saturday, April 27.
100-meter Dash
17.
Malia Watkins, 11.84
40.
Christine Irving, 12.63
200-meter Dash
22.
Malia Watkins, 24.38
66.
Christine Irving, 26.04
400-meter Dash
20.
Talayssia Sanders, 56.58
31.
Roshell Rowe, 58.18
32.
Kennedy Crawford, 58.90
43.
Olivia Dixon, 1:01.91
800-meter Run
4.
Emma Vorpagel, 2:14.33
23.
Julia Finegan, 2:24.28
1,500-meter Run
21.
Julia Finegan, 4:50.85
100-meter Hurdles
20.
Henriette Halwas, 14.59
High Jump
11.
Kamiya Dendy, 1.63m (5-04.25)
12.
Arianna Calloway, 1.63m (5-04.25)
Triple Jump
14.
Kendal Only, 11.67m (38-03.50)
