Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
the official home of the siena heights university saints

McKinley Sisters Earn All-American Status at NAIA Championships

McKinley Sisters Earn All-American Status at NAIA Championships

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Sheila and Tasha McKinley each earned All-American honors in the second day of action at the NAIA Championships, on Friday. The 4x400m relay team and four individuals also qualified for the finals.

Sheila McKinley earned runner-up status in the pole vault, clearing the bar at 3.77m (12 feet, 4 1/2 inches). Winner Danielle Wojciechowski from Bethel (Ind.) won with a height of 3.82 meters (12-6 1/4). Tasha McKinley finished in seventh, clearing 3.57m (11-8 1/2). Both sisters earned All-American status.

In the preliminary heat of the 4x400m relay, runners Mariah Ridal, Ashley Russo, Brianna Pekel and Alexis Moore finished in eighth with a time of 3:56.05, sending the team to the finals on Saturday.

Russo finished fifth in the preliminary round of the 1000m run in 2:57.52. Ridal also took fifth in the 600m run, finishing in 1:35.64. Both Russo and Ridal will compete in the finals for the title of National Champion.

Moore finished seventh in the prelims of the 400m in 57.97 seconds, earning a spot in the finals.

In the 200m run, Asia Gardner earned a place in the finals with a seventh place finish in the 200m run, crossing the finish line in 24.95 seconds.

The Saints will have more athletes in action on Saturday in the finals for the following events: 400m run, 600m run, 1000m run, 200m dash, 4x400m relay, high jump and the triple jump.