GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Marissa Johnson helped the Siena Heights women's track and field team to a second place finish at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Indoor Championships hosted by Aquinas, on Saturday. The Saints scored 131 points but fell short of Indiana Tech's 193. A slew of qualifying athletes helped pace the women's team.
In the high jump Marissa Johnson came in second place via tie breaker with her jump of 1.74m. This ties the previous track record set by Johnson in 2015. This jump also earned her the Most Valuable Performance award as this jump give her a share of the No. 1 spot in the NAIA.
Tying a WHAC record and earning a trip to nationals in the pole vault was Sheila McKinley with her vault of 3.78m. Tasha McKinley also qualified with her vault of 3.60m and a second place.
The 4x400 meter relay team consisting of Mariah Ridal, Ashley Russo, Brianna Pekel and Alexis Moore placed first with a time of 3:58.08, automatically-qualifying for nationals.
In the 200 meter dash Asia Gardner placed second and automatically-qualified for nationals with her time of 25.19. Teammate Moore, provisionally-qualified with her time of 25.85 seconds and a seventh place finish. Gardner also auto qualified for nationals in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.56. Mildrenae Young-Brooks provisionally qualified with her time of 7.75.
Provisionally qualifying in the 1000 meter run was Russo with a time of 3:03.08, good for second place. Russo also qualified in the 600 meter dash, taking fourth place with a time of 1:38.21. Placing second and automatically qualifying was Ridal with her time of 1:37.12.
Earning another bid to nationals is Moore with a first place finish in the 400 meter dash with a time of 58.20 seconds.
An automatic and provisional qualifying race for Gardner 7.69 seconds and Young-Brooks 7.73 seconds, respectfully, in the women's 60 meter dash. In the long jump Young-Brooks placed third and earned a provisional spot with her leap of 5.45m.
Charlena Williams placed second in the triple jump. Her distance of 11.43m earned her a trip to nationals.
In the weight throw, Ashley O'Neill earned a trip to nationals with a throw of 16.93m. Her toss was good for second place. O'Neill also placed in the shot put with a distance of 12.61, good for third place.
The qualifying Saints will compete in the NAIA National Championship in Johnson City, Tenn. on Thursday, March 2, through Saturday, March 4.
