SAGINAW, Mich. -- The Siena Heights women's indoor track and field team earned three first place performances, four automatic and two provisional bids to the NAIA Championship for their efforts in the opening meet of the season at Saginaw Valley State, on Saturday.
Winning the women's high jump was Marissa Johnson, clearing the bar at 1.68 meters (5 feet, 6 inches) for automatic marks.
Another first place performance was by Ashley O'Neill in the shot put. O'Neill had a toss of 12.52m (41-1). O'Neill also took fifth place in the weight throw with a distance of 16.30m (53-5.75) earning provisional marks.
Earning first place for the Saints in the 200m run Asia Gardner, coming in at 25.34 seconds.
Gardner was the top SHU finisher in the 60 meter dash, crossing the finish line at 7.70 seconds for third place and an automatic bid. In fifth place, Mildrenae Young-Brooks came in at 7.83 seconds, a provisional time.
Tying for third in the pole vault were Tasha and Sheila McKinley who both cleared the bar at 3.64 meters (11 feet, 11.25 inches). Both cleared the NAIA automatic height of 3.48 meters.
The Saints 4x400m relay team consisting of Alexis Moore, Brianna Pekel, Young-Brooks and Gardner finished third with a time of 4:03.81.
In the 5000 meter run, shortened to 4700m, Ashley Russo crossed the finish line at 16:58.32 for third place.
In the 3000 meter run, Michayla Miller took third place after crossing the finish line in 12:55.68.
Hannah Shellenbarger took fifth in the 800m run in 2:26.02.
Earning third place in the 600 meter run was Brianna Pekel with a time of 1:40.26.
Jaymz Gibson and Ruth Letherer each competed in the pentathlon, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Gibson earned 2561 total points with her highest finish in the 60m hurdles in fifth place at 10.08 seconds. Letherer managed 2119 points, finishing first in the 800m run in 2:32.08.
The Saints will be back in action on Friday and Saturday at the Kent State Invitational.