Trojans Hit Three National Standards at Findlay

FINDLAY, Ohio. – The Taylor women's track and field team finished out the regular season at the University of Findlay for the Flag City Open. The day was highlighted by three TU runners hitting qualifying standards for NAIA Nationals. The Trojans finished second-of-four teams, earning a total of 94 points behind Findlay with 251.5.

Senior Taylor Bluemel turned in an impressive performance in the 3,000-meters, taking first place, turning in her best time of the season at 10:29.52 and qualifying for NAIA Indoor Nationals with B-standard. Madeline Purdom took second place at 11:13.96 followed by Maddie Weeden in third at 11:31.16.

Freshman Jo'Deci Irby showed her speed in the 400-meters, nabbing the automatic qualification to NAIA Nationals with A-standard. Irby won the event and finished with a blazing personal-best time of 58.19.

Brooke Studnicki continued TU's success in the 1,000-meters, qualifying for nationals with a time of 3:03.21. Studnicki led a trio of Trojans taking first in the event, followed by Giovanna Domene in second (3:07.73) and Katelynn Hanback in third (3:27.06).

The Trojans turned in three of the top five spots the mile run, led by Giovanna Domene with a second-place finish and a time of 5:21.50. Hannah Loeffler placed fourth at 5:35.78 and Ariel Wentworth claimed fifth at 5:46.11.

Other impressive performances for TU included freshman Audrey Altum posting a second-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.27 and sophomore Abbey Brennan claiming third place in the 800-meters with a mark of 2:22.37.

Stephanie Wadsworth competed for TU in the field events, posting a mark of 9.73 meters in the weight throw and launching the shot put 9.89 meters.

The Trojans will now begin preparations for the NAIA Indoor National Championships set for March 5 -7 in Brookings, South Dakota.