Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
Mar. 29, 2025 - In their first outdoor competition of the season, the North Central College women's track and field team hosted the First Chance Invitational in Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The Cardinals were crowned champions in six events, while many athletes placed in the top ten of their events, hit new personal records, and even landed on the national rankings.
The program got off to a great start on day one.
Julia Benes dominated the 5000-meter run to earn first place with an 18:23.17 finish. Next was the 10,000-meter run.
Lily Anderson worked her way into the front spot at the 2000-meter mark and held her lead to the finish line. (39:40.70). Meanwhile, at javelin throw,
Robin Lee hit a new personal record with a toss of 35.95m (117'11") and took home a second-place finish.
The Cardinals opened day two off with a bang when their 4-by-100-meter relay, consisting of
Kyla Miller,
Allie Dockins,
Cali Minkie, and
Lindsey Novak, finished first with a time of 47.52 seconds. Their time currently ranks 12th in the nation and seventh in program history. Later in the day, Novak won the 200-meter dash (24.43) and the 400-meter dash (56.41). Novak's 200-meter time ranks fourth in the nation, while her 400-meter finish ranks ninth.
Pole vaulters
Gwen Berenyi and
Natalie Johnson had quite the day in the air, with both athletes hitting personal records to finish first and second, respectively. Berenyi cleared 4.03 meters (13'2.5") and now ranks second in the nation. Johnson cleared 3.51 meters (11'6.25") and sits at No. 19 in the national rankings.
Dockins turned in a second-place finish in the 100-meter dash after hitting a new personal best of 12.31 seconds.
Katelyn McCann also placed second with her new personal record in the long jump (5.59, 18'4.25"). McCann's jump ranks No. 15 in the nation. The Cardinals' team of
Alivia Henkel,
Cire' Smith,
Betty Tsoutsas, and
Zoe Ulaszek finished second, clocking a time of 4:13.40. In the 800-meter run, Smith ran a 2:20.91 and took second.
North Central will take a short trip to Elmhurst University Friday, Apr. 4, and Saturday, Apr. 5, for the Chicagoland Outdoor Championships at Langhorst Field.
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