Women's Track & Field | January 18, 2018
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan track and field team heads to the second of three straight meets at Big Ten schools, traveling to Indiana University for the Gladstein Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
WMU will battle the host Hoosiers, along with Bradley, Dayton, Eastern Kentucky, Indiana Tech, Indiana State, Marshall, Miami Ohio and Virginia Tech.
"We'll have a bunch of teams we haven't seen before and hopefully we can get some things going," said head coach Kelly Lycan. "It would be nice to see some drops in times. That's what it's all about at this point of the season, just keep improving those marks."
One Bronco that's already had some things going is junior Gabrielle Collins. Collins is off to a solid start through WMU's first two meets. She opened the season winning three events, the long jump, triple jump and 60m hurdles in a dual meet with Oakland. She followed it up with a solid time in the 60m hurdles and a second place finish last weekend at the Wolverine Invite. In her debut last season Collins scored at both the Mid-American Conference Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
"The key for her has been consistency on the run way," said Lycan. "Being close to the board is going to help her a lot, so she's not giving away a lot of fouls. Gabby came back in good shape this fall and has worked very hard. "
Collins is set to compete in the triple jump and 60m hurdles on Friday and the long jump on Saturday.
Western Michigan will also be sending out a quality lineup in the distance events this weekend. MAC Cross Country champion Hanne Christensen will be competing in the 3,000m run on Friday afternoon, along with fellow senior Claire Gilbert. Sarah Anderson will also compete in the mile run on Friday.
The Broncos continue their trot through Big Ten country, heading to the Jack Johnson Invitational next weekend at the University of Minnesota.
