The Millikin men's and women's track and field teams competed at the IC Thursday Throwdown on April 2, 2026, turning in several event victories and top-three finishes.
Millikin had a strong showing in the pole vault, led by Hailey Newill who won the event clearing 3.34 meters. Alexa Weter finished second with a vault of 3.19 meters, while Kelsie Fuoss placed third at 2.89 meters.
Ella Neihls added another victory for the Big Blue, winning the triple jump with a mark of 10.66 meters.
In the high jump, Alexis Wike finished second clearing 1.50 meters, with teammate Audrey Remole taking third at the same height.
On the track, Brooklynn Sweikar captured the 800 meters with a time of 2:25.24. Lindsey Klaus also earned a podium finish in the event, placing third in 2:30.51.
Brynn Behrmann placed third in the 1500 meters in 5:11.49, while Alayna Schultz recorded a third-place finish in the 400 meters in 1:01.83.
Millikin closed out the meet with a victory in the 4x400-meter relay as the team of Schultz, Kiley Coker, Klaus, and Sweikar combined for a time of 4:15.60.
For the men's field events, Jack Pearce recorded a third-place finish in the high jump clearing 1.80 meters.
In the pole vault, Tyler Hensley placed second with a clearance of 3.95 meters.
The Big Blue distance squad highlighted the men's track events. Aaron Mohr won the 800 meters in 1:58.58, followed closely by Jude Toft in second place at 1:58.72. Joey McGinn finished third in the event with a time of 2:00.69.
Millikin also had a strong performance in the 5000 meters as Aiden Pacunas won the race in 16:28.89. Jack Fisher finished second in 16:42.84 and Talam Thrasher placed third in 17:08.60.
In the 1500 meters, Matt Gowen placed third with a time of 4:18.18.
Emmanuel Nwatu finished second in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.89 seconds and later placed third in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:03.4.
The Big Blue 4x100-meter relay team of Awstace Grauer, Emmett Emmons, Emmanuel Nwatu, and Brody Roberts placed third with a time of 43.35 seconds.
Millikin capped the meet with a win in the 4x400-meter relay as Jaiden Walkin, Awstace Grauer, Aaron Mohr, and Ryne Norton finished first in 3:30.45. A second Millikin relay team of Nwatu, Chase Smith, Joey McGinn, and Nolan Bates finished second in 3:41.20.
Several Big Blue athletes recorded marks that rank among the top performances in program history. Emmanuel Nwatu's time of 14.89 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles ranks fifth all-time at Millikin.
In the hammer throw, Hunter Danberry recorded the third-best mark in school history with a throw of 49.18 meters.
Newill's pole vault clearance of 3.34 meters ranks third all-time in program history, while Weter's mark of 3.19 meters sits fourth.
Neihls' triple jump mark of 10.66 meters ranks 10th in Millikin history.
