Women's Track & Field | April 28, 2017
PHILADELPHIA – Both the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relay teams advanced to the finals after a solid day at the Penn Relay Carnivals on Thursday.
The big highlight came from the 4x100-meter team. The squad of Sarita Dotson, Madison Meredith, Naiomi Dulaney and Ayiana Gaines combined to run a time of 45.58 seconds, the second-fastest in program history. WMU took second in its heat and 11th overall against some of the top teams in the nation, advancing to the finals on Friday afternoon. The Broncos finished behind Oregon in their heat, who ran the fastest time in the nation in the event.
"I think we did a really good job to take second in the heat," said head coach Kelly Lycan. "It's the only second time we've run that foursome this season and the handoffs weren't as smooth as we wanted but it was still a good time. We get another chance to run again in the finals tomorrow and get the handoffs worked out."
In the 4x400, Western Michigan ran a squad of Dotson, Lindsey Hufnagel, Jordan Anderson and Gaines. The group finished 11th overall and second in their heat with a time of 3:40.16.
"It wasn't one of our best days ever, but I think it's a testament as to how we are doing this season that we aren't happy with a 3:40 time," added Lycan. "I'm hoping we can bounce back in the finals on Saturday. I know this team can run below 3:37 and that would get us into the NCAA Regionals."
WMU's distance medley relay team of Sarah Anderson, Davonne Bolden, Holly Blowers and Claire Gilbert combined for a time of 11:48.
Individually the Broncos had success in the 400-meter hurdles and the 10,000-meter run. Hufnagel ran her second-best time of the season at 59.48 seconds and finished in ninth overall. In the 10k junior Hanne Christensen finished in the top 10 after taking ninth with a time of 35:34.90. Senior Daya Wagh also competed, running a time of 37:20.79.
Over at Hillsdale College and the GINA Relays, freshman Kirstin McGahan took fifth in the steeplechase, running a time of 11:51.51.
The team is back in action on Friday at both meets.
