The Hopkins women’s track and field team competed in their sole home meet of the year, the Hopkins/Loyola Invitational, this past Saturday. The field was stacked with competitive performances in which seven facility records were broken on the women’s side alone.
Senior Maggie Shelton helped the Jays take home their second straight top spot at the event Saturday afternoon by placing first in both the 800 meter and 1500 meter runs. In the 800 meter, the Wilmette, Ill. native broke the facility record (2:13.97) that previously belonged to her with a time of 2:11.20. Her second title of the day came in the 1500 meter run where she finished in 4:33.44, the second fastest time in Division III this year. Shelton was more than happy to run in the Hopkins hosted meet. “The home meet is a fun meet to go to every year,” Shelton said. “The competition gets better every year. We had three number one performances nationally in DIII, two of which were from Hopkins.”
Fellow Jay, junior Frances Loeb finished just behind Shelton in the 1500 with a time of 4:34.86 securing second in the race with the fourth fastest time in the country in Division III. Sophomore Sophia Meehan and Junior Ashley Murphy also placed for Hopkins finishing fourth and fifth with times of 4:39.23 and 4:39.80, respectively.
Senior Emily Swenson had a big day for the Lady Jays as she broke the school record for shot put in outdoor track with a throw of 13.55 meters (44’5.50”). This was the third best throw of the senior’s Hopkins career, and she now holds both the outdoor and indoor school records for shot put. Swenson is currently ranked ninth in the nation after this weekend. “My success I think is just a product of my hard work over the past few years,” Swenson said. “I wasn't too great of a shot putter when I came in so it's been a fun experience proving to myself and others that I could become a decent thrower throughout my time here.”
Hopkins was able to capture 19 team points in the 5000 meter run with five Jays finishing in the top 10 spots. Senior Abby Flock led the way placing second with a time of 17:42.55 followed by fellow senior Shayna Rose in fourth with a time of 17:51.05. Freshman Gabrielle Stephens (sixth/18:20.86), senior Katie Rownd (ninth/18:54.13) and junior Grace Hancock (10th/18:56.35) rounded out the top 10 in the event.
The 4x100 meter relay team finished first in a field of 15 teams. The relay, consisting of sophomore Juliana Wittman, junior Kelly Hussey, senior Chloe Ryan and sophomore Brynn Parsons, finished with a time of 48.63, narrowly edging out the second place relay of Wesley that finished in 49.25. All four of these girls competed in the 100 meter dash, all finishing in the top 15 with times under 13 seconds.
Sophomore Stephanie Cabral won the javelin throw with a distance of 34.66 meters, only .11 meters farther than Widener’s Lauren Peterson who finished second. Freshman Laura Janss placed second in the field of 17 athletes in the high jump by clearing 1.55 meters.
Hopkins was able to capture the title of their only home meet of the year while Wheeling Jesuit took second with 93 points, and Buffalo State took third with 82 points. The Jays were excited about their opportunity to compete at home and were pleased with their performance as a team. “It's our only home meet of the year so I feel like it's a little more important to go out there and compete really well,” Swenson said. “A lot of family, friends and alumni come out to the meet so it's always a lot of fun — especially when there's good weather!”
The Jays will continue their season this weekend when the heptathlon and decathlon competitors will attend Mount St. Mary’s Multi’s meet in Emmitsburg, Md. and the rest of the team will go to Chester, Pa. for the Widener Invitational.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.