This quickie collection of stories is dedicated to the best of the indoor collegiate conference action on the women’s side. Alphabetically:
ACC
It came down to winning the 4×4, but Miami captured its third crown in four years, topping Florida State 91–85.
“They really stepped it up tonight,” said Hurricane coach Amy Deem. Miami’s other wins came from Brittny Ellis in the 400 (52.66), Tiara McMinn in the hurdles (7.95) and pentathlete Michelle Atherley, whose year-leading 4498 tied her for No. 8 on the collegiate ATL. Other notable performances went to Virginia Tech vaulter Rachel Baxter (14-8/4.47) and teammate Rachel Pocratsky in the 800 (2:03.43).
Big 10
Ohio State topped Indiana by 29 points, thanks to some notable breakout performances. Sade Olatoye continued her stunning senior campaign by winning the weight on Friday with a list-leading 78-11¾ (24.07), making herself the No. 6 collegian ever. The next day she repeated as shot champ with another collegiate-leading mark, 58-8 (17.88).
In the 200, Buckeye soph Anavia Battle stunned with a 22.80 world leader to win by more than a half-second.
Wisconsin’s Alicia Monson doubled in the distances, taking the 3000 in 9:16.73 and the next day running 16:18.63 in a tactical 5000. Penn State’s Danae Rivers led from the start in the 800, winning at 2:03.45, and frosh Alexis Holmes captured the 400 in 52.14. The mile saw Michigan senior Hannah Meier scorch a wire-to-wire victory in 4:32.46, a legal-track PR of almost 8 seconds.
Big 12
With 35 points in the 60 and 200, Longhorn sprint power was key to Texas repeating with its fifth title in six years. Frosh Kynnedy Flannel won the 200 in 22.89, while senior Teahna Daniels dashed to a 7.22 victory. Said first-year coach Edrick Floréal, “The good thing about this team is that there were a lot of people who came out of nowhere and surprised people.”
Runner-up Texas Tech mined points galore in the jumps as Zarriea Willis leaped 6-¾ (1.85) and vault winner Chinne Okoronkwo (14-2½/4.33) also scored in the LJ (6th) and TJ (3rd).
Mountain Pacific
Matchups weren’t really the thing as many of the best runners found themselves in different sections. Still, USC piled up a massive 120 points to top Stanford by more than 50. Angie Annelus took the 60 for the winners in 7.29, Dior Hall the 200 in 23.83 and Kyra Constantine the 400 in 52.07. Chanel Brissett hurdled 8.04 and the Trojans relayed 3:37.01.
Stanford’s Fiona O’Keeffe clocked 8:58.58 in the 3000. BYU’s Erica Birk won a close mile over Susan Ejore of Oregon, 4:34.59–4:34.83. Arizona State soph threw the shot 57-1 (17.40). Erinn Beattie of UC Davis took the multi with 4185 points.
SEC
The Razorback vault twins showed great form at their home facility, Lexi Jacobus clearing a low-altitude CR of 15-4¼ (4.68) to become the No. 9 American ever. Sister Tori Hoggard topped out at 15-1 (4.60). Together, they led an Arkansas juggernaut that more than doubled the runner-up score of Texas A&M, 151-70. That makes 5 in a row for Lance Harter’s squad, and 14 of the last 15 overall (in/out/XC).
Taylor Werner won the 3000 in 9:15.57 after taking the long run (16:18.39) the night before. Said Harter, “I think our veterans are doing what we thought they were capable of, but some young ones followed them.”
Georgia’s Lynna Irby ran a U.S.-leading 52.02 in the 400 before producing a 51.17 relay anchor. The overall stick victory, though, went to Texas A&M in the next section, with a world-leader 3:29.15. Florida jumper Yanis David took both horizontals, the long jump in 21-2½ (6.46) and the triple in a collegiate leader 45-5 (13.84). Said David, a French senior, “It feels great. After three years of being here and not winning an SEC title, it gets a little bit in your head. But I knew I could do it.”
| Women’s Conference Team Winners | |
| (* = defending champ) | |
| ACC | Miami |
| America East | Albany* |
| American | Houston |
| Atlantic Sun | Liberty |
| Atlantic 10 | Virginia Commonwealth* |
| Big 10 | Ohio State |
| Big 12 | Texas* |
| Big East | Villanova* |
| Big Sky | Sac State |
| Big South | Hampton |
| Conference USA | UTEP |
| Heps | Penn* |
| Horizon | Youngstown State* |
| MEAC | North Carolina A&T* |
| Metro Atlantic | Monmouth* |
| Mid-American | Central Michigan |
| Missouri Valley | Illinois State* |
| Mountain Pacific | USC* |
| Mountain West | Colorado State |
| New England | Northeastern* |
| Northeast | Mount St. Mary’s |
| Ohio Valley | Tennessee Tech* |
| Patriot | Navy |
| SEC | Arkansas* |
| Southern | Samford* |
| Southland | Stephen F. Austin |
| Summit | North Dakota State* |
| Sun Belt | Texas State* |
| SWAC | Alabama State* |
| WAC | Grand Canyon |
