Contact: Anna Fox, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
 
May 3, 2025 - The North Central College women's track and field team saw many great performances by the Cardinal athletes but ultimately fell just short of a first-place finish. Faith Ladin, Natalie Johnson, and Alivia Henkel all collected wins in their respective events.
 
Elmhurst University just edged out North Central for first place with 161.5 points. The Cardinals earned second with 145 points, while Augustana College finished third with 114 points.
 
Ladin not only earned first place in the javelin but her toss of 44.92 meters (145' 9") broke her own school record by 0.52 meters. Ladin's toss also moves her to No. 3 in the national rankings. Not far behind was Robin Lee in fourth place with a throw of 36.67 meters (120' 3").
 
Johnson recorded the Cardinals' win in the pole vault after clearing 3.58 meters (11' 9"). Johnson's performance moved her jump to No. 13 in the national rankings. Meanwhile, on the track, freshman Henkel showed out in the 400-meter hurdles, earning first place with a finish of 1:03.13. Henkel also entered the national rankings at No. 37 with her winning time. Reilly Boyer was just behind Henkel in second place (1:05.07).
 
In the triple jump, Abranet Layne continues to jump to new lengths. Her jump measured 11.50 meters (37' 8.75"). Layne's personal best ranks No. 3 in the program's top-ten records and ties for No. 44 in the national rankings.
 
The 4-by-100-meter relay of Kyla Miller, Allie Dockins, Cali Minkie, and Lindsey Novak secured a second-place finish (47.52). The Cardinals also earned second in the 4-by-400-meter relay. This time, Miller, Cire' Smith, Novak, and Miller teamed up, clocking a 3:52.63 finish. Their time ties for No. 40 in the national rankings and takes No. 10 in the program's top records.
 
Additionally, Novak earned a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles by improving her personal record to 55.36 seconds. Novak's finish ranks No. 14 nationally. In the 200-meter dash, Novak claimed a fourth-place finish (24.29) and tied for No. 17 in the nation.
 
North Central was well represented in the heptathlon, with Anna Cotter, Ladin, and Isabella Valentin all competing. Cotter led the trio with 4,257 points for second place, followed by Ladin in third (4,048) and Valentin in fourth (3,986). Ladin enters the event's national rankings at No. 47, while Valentin's finish places her at No. 10 in the program's top-ten records.
 
The Cardinals will have a short time to celebrate their success before competing at the USF Fighting Chance Invite Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.
 
Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores, and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.