Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
 
ELMHURST, Ill. (Apr. 26, 2025) - The North Central College women's track and field team dominated the competition at the Elmhurst University Twilight Invitational on Friday (Apr. 25) with seven Cardinal athletes winning their events. Gwen Berenyi also represented North Central at the Drake Relays, competing in the pole vault.
 
Alivia Henkel earned a first-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 1:04.96 and ranking ninth in the program's top ten finishes. Natalie Johnson cleared a height of 3.62 meters (11' 10.50) in the pole vault while Abranet Layne marked 11.28 meters (37' 0.25") in the triple jump, both taking first in their respective events. Lindsey Novak delivered first and second place finishes in the 100-meter dash (11.97) and the 200-meter dash (24.73), respectively. Novak's 100-meter dash finish ranked No. 24 in the nation.
 
North Central took first and second place in the hammer, discus, and 3,000-meter steeplechase. Gabrielle Harding's toss of 46.86 meters (153' 9") for first place also holds the sixth best throw in the program's history. Arianna Teichman followed Harding in second with a throw of 44.32 meters (145' 5") and took control of No. 10 in the top-ten records.
 
Amanda Melton won the discus throw with a mark of 37.56 meters (123' 02"), while Teichman took second with a throw of 35.62 meters (116' 10"). In the steeplechase, Emma Cecich clocked a 12:07.98 finish to earn first place. Marrisa Magana was not far behind in second place, finishing the run in 12:26.91. Jillian Beneke delivered a throw of 33.83 meters (111') in the javelin throw to earn second and Amanda Melton took second in the shot put with a toss of 10.92 meters (35' 10").
 
Meanwhile, Berenyi was in Des Moines, Iowa, representing the Cardinals program at the Drake Relays. Competing against many nationally ranked athletes, Berenyi tied for seventh in the pole vault after clearing 3.82 meters (12' 6.25").
 
North Central will be home next week, as they host the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2.
 
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