Millikin men's and women's track and field teams opened the outdoor season by hosting the Big Blue Outdoor Opener at Frank M. Lindsay Field in Decatur, Illinois on Saturday, March 28. The Big Blue turned in a strong showing across both the men's and women's competitions. No team scores were reported.
In the women's competition, Zena Roberts led the way in the field events with a first-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 5.20 meters. Neihls then added a runner-up finish in the triple jump at 10.32 meters.
Hannah Sago claimed the high jump title, clearing 1.55 meters, while Millikin showed depth in the pole vault as Kelsie Fuoss and Alexa Weter tied for the top mark of 3.05 meters, finishing first and second, respectively.Â
On the track, Brooklynn Sweikar captured the 1500 meters in 4:53.04, with teammate Lindsey Klaus finishing second in 4:59.21. Kiley Coker added another victory for the Big Blue, winning the 800 meters in 2:23.28.
Maddie Maragni turned in strong performances in the hurdles, placing second in the 100-meter hurdles in 17.20 seconds and second in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:12.02. Alayna Schultz recorded a pair of top-three finishes, taking second in the 400 meters in 1:01.48 and third in the 200 meters in 27.64.
In the distance events, Brynn Behrmann placed third in the 5000 meters in 19:12.11.
The Big Blue closed out the women's competition with a win in the 4x400-meter relay, as Schultz, Coker, Klaus, and Sweikar combined for a time of 4:11.34.
On the men's side, Cole Pemble recorded a second-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 6.39 meters, while Glenn Powers placed third in the high jump, clearing 1.65 meters.
Millikin had a strong showing in the pole vault, with Dylan Ragsdale finishing second at 3.60 meters and Tyler Hensley taking third at the same height.Â
On the track, Emmett Emmons led the way in the 400 meters with a runner-up finish in 50.67 seconds.
In the middle-distance events, Aaron Mohr finished third in the 800 meters in 1:59.64.
Millikin showed depth in the 5000 meters, with Brock Richards placing second in 15:45.89 and Joey McGinn finishing third in 15:47.50.
Millikin capped the meet with a strong performance in the 4x400-meter relay, as the team of Walkin, Emmons, A. Grauer, and Mohr captured first place in 3:25.05. A second Millikin relay squad of C. Smith, Norton, M. Holman, and E. Nwatu finished second in 3:29.87.
Several Big Blue athletes also earned spots on the program's all-time top-10 list. Hunter Danberry recorded the seventh-best mark in school history in the hammer throw at 45.79 meters, while Joey Huizenga ranks ninth at 44.48 meters.
On the women's side, Sweikar's time of 4:53.04 in the 1500 meters ranks seventh all-time, while Brynn Behrmann's 5000-meter time of 19:12.11 sits 10th in program history. Audrey Remole is tied for seventh all-time in the javelin with a throw of 29.14 meters.
Sago's high jump mark of 1.55 meters is tied for eighth all-time, while Fuoss and Weter are tied for sixth in program history in the pole vault at 3.05 meters.
