IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jasmijn Raes (Amsterdam, Netherlands) claimed first-place in the high jump as the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team competed in the Iowa Open on Friday (Feb. 20), in its final meet before next weekend's conference championship. 

"The athletes really stepped up their performances today," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "We had several athletes ink their position to the Indoor MAC Championships next week and they accomplished that with seasons and personal best performances today. Their focus and execution was the best the staff has seen all year. They are getting hungry for success and the staff welcomes their determination. We will fine tune this week in preparation for conference and see if we can keep this momentum there."

For the second consecutive week, Raes captured a high jump title, clearing the bar at 1.70 meters (5-07.00) to better second-place Josie Moreland of Northern Iowa (1.65m). Samira Rosenfeld (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) was fourth in the high jump, clearing 1.55 meters (5-01.00)

The Huskies qualified four for the final of the 60-meter dash, where Stella Oyebode (Ilorin, Nigeria) led the way for the Huskies with a second-place finish, running 7.68 seconds. Esther Momalife (Lagos, Nigeria) was just behind in third in a time of 7.74 seconds. Natasha Chetty (Victoria, Seychelles/Seychelles Business Studies Academy) finished fifth in the 60 meters in 7.79 seconds while Tiffany Colin (Tampa, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch) was sixth with a time of 7.90 seconds. Momalife and Colin both ran PR's in the final while Chetty ran a season-best of 7.75 seconds in the prelims. 

Colin also ran a PR in the 200 meters where Momalife was sixth in 25.28 and Colin claimed eighth in 25.43. In the 800 meters, Claire Helmila (Tampa, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch) recorded a season-best time of 2:17.69, finishing sixth. 

Three Huskies finished in the top-six in the triple jump, led by Precious Umukoro (Villarreal, Spain) who recorded a top leap of 11.90 meters (39-00.50). Aniya Barton (Lansing, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) was fourth with a best mark of 11.79 meters (38-08.25) while Nicole Green (St. Louis, Mo./Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School) was sixth with a leap of 11.35 meters (37-03.00).

NIU will now turn its attention to the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships next Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28, hosted by Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

60-meter Dash
2. Stella Oyebode. 7.68 (7.74q)
3. Esther Momalife, 7.74 (7.78q)
5. Natasha Chetty, 7.79 (7.78q)
6. Tiffany Colin, 7.90 (7.82q)
11. Precious Akinsanya, 7.92
18. Faith Rouse, 8.00
24. Mariah Gonzalez, 8.27

60-meter Hurdles
10. Miashlie Jean, 8.84
11. Kyla Motley, 8.84
16. Kaiya Key, 9.35

200-meter Dash
6. Esther Momalife, 25.28
8. Tiffany Colin, 25.43
12. Natasha Chetty, 25.66
15. Miashlie Jean, 25.93
20. Samira Rosenfeld, 26.18
21. Precious Akinsanya, 26.25
23. Faith Rouse, 26.67
30. Mariah Gonzalez, 28.37

400-meter Dash
11. Sanaii Vaughn, 1:02.82

800-meter Run
6. Claire Helmila, 2:17.69

Mile Run
16. Amelie Ojeda, 5:07.71

3,000-meter Run
4. Sarah Maggio, 10:18.60
8. Ariel Hernandez, 10:48.02

High Jump
1. Jasmijn Raes, 1.70m (5-07.00)
4. Samira Rosenfeld, 1.55m (5-01.00)

Long Jump
7. Kyla Motley, 5.64m (18-06.00)
9. Tod'Jai Ross, 5.12m (16-09.75)
10. Samira Rosenfeld, 5.12m (16-09.75)
12. Kaiya Key, 5.00m (16-05.00)

Triple Jump
3. Precious Umukoro, 11.90m (39-00.50)
4. Aniya Barton, 11.79m (38-08.25)
6. Nicole Green, 11.35m (37-03.00)