Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Results

WHEATON, Ill. (May 7, 2022) - A season's worth of dedication and perseverance came together in grand style for the North Central College women's track and field team Saturday at Wheaton College, as the Cardinals claimed their third straight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Outdoor Championship.

The Cardinals won six events and stormed to a comfortable victory winning the team competition with 182.50 points. Elmhurst University placed second with 141, followed by Carroll University with 100.

The fastest time in the 100-meter hurdles by any NCAA Division III competitors this season was accomplished Saturday by Julia Babinec, who eased away from the field with a personal-best time of 13.94 seconds. Babinec is the lone Division III hurdler to finish the event under 14 seconds in 2022.

Babinec also teamed with Lauren Larsen, Marcedes Jackson and Denise Partee to win the 4-by-100-meter relay (47.90). Jackson was narrowly beaten to the finish line in the 100-meter dash by Elmhurst's Ava David, but Jackson did manage to establish a new North Central record in the event with a time of 12.02 seconds. The previous record of 12.04 was set by Lakeya Boatright '97 in 1997.

Kathy Myrda soared five inches over her previous personal best in the pole vault to win the event with a clearance of 12 feet, 7.50 inches (3.85 meters). Myrda, who did not miss an attempt until after the competition was won, now ranks fourth in North Central history and sits third nationally this season. Natalie Johnson etched her name into the record books by placing third and moving into seventh in school history with a height of 12'1.50" (3.70m).

Faith Ladin and Hannah Jones finished first (131'6", 40.08m) and second (126'6", 38.55m) in the javelin throw as Ladin won the conference title in the event for the second straight year. Jenna Fiore won the 1,500-meter run by more than seven seconds in 4:43.72, becoming the first Cardinal to win a conference title in the 1,500 since 2007, while Lindsey Novak claimed victory in the 400-meter dash (58.19).

Novak nearly won the 200-meter dash as well, with a second-place time of 24.97 seconds which was just .01 second behind David. Partee also finished third in the 100-meter hurdles in 14.68 and recorded a personal-best time of 14.53 in the preliminary heats. Also placing third were Anna Cotter in the high jump (5'1", 1.55m) and the 4-by-400-meter relay team of Jones, Ladin, Novak and Allison Grady.

The Cardinals' coaching staff was voted the CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year and distance runner Julianne Billings was one of four CCIW Elite 25 Award winners. Billings is a writing major at North Central with a grade-point average of 4.00.

The CCIW also announced the nine winners of its RESPECT Award for the season. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture. North Central's RESPECT Award honoree is high jumper Erica Johnson.

The Cardinals host the Carius/Gregory Qualifier Thursday and Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

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