April 18, 2008

Complete Results

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Northern Illinois women's track and field athletes won a season-high 12 events, finishing in second place with 225 points at the Augie Invite, Friday.

Seniors Elizabeth Berquist (Toddville, Iowa/Alburnett) and Meagan Guenther (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) won their second consecutive victories in the high jump and hammer throw, respectively. Berquist matched her previous season-high mark of 5-7, equaling teammate Jessica Statler's (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Prairie) mark, but defeating the sophomore based on missed attempts. Guenther threw 155-7 to earn the victory.

Freshman Sunsea Shaw (South Bend, Ind./Riley) broke through in the 800-meter run, taking first in 2:19.40. Other wins on the track included Coretta Evans (Wheeling, Ill./Evanston) with a 57.63 in the 400m, and Carolyn Vasquez (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey) finishing the 400-meter hurdles in 65.03. Junior Meghan Ginter (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley)took first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, followed by teammates Denisse Valladares (Mt. Prospect, Ill./Hersey) and Ashley Rittenbacher (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central).

The Huskies also swept the relays in which they competed, winning the 4x100, 4x400, and spring medley.

Berquist and Statler's successes were just the beginning for NIU in jump events. Sophomore Brittany Houghton (Freeport, Ill./Dakota) took first in the long jump with a mark of 17-7, and junior Shoshanna Brown (Plainfield, Ill./Romeoville) crowned the triple jump with a set of bounds worth 35-9.25.

Augustana won the meet with a score of 258.5. The Huskies return to action for the Drake Relays, April 24-26.