ELSAH, Ill. - The Greenville University women's indoor track and field program made it four in a row after collecting the 2024 SLIAC Championship with 254 team points. The Panthers set a new conference record with 11 gold medals in the championship with three Panthers collecting multiple gold medals. Sara Yakana picked up gold in the 60-meters, long jump, and triple jump; setting championship records in all three events. Gretchen Carie added gold in the Mile and 3000 meters while Talahiva Talanoa placed 1st in both the weight throw and shot put with conference record throws.
Along the record setting gold collection, other Panthers to set championship records were Carie in the Mile (5:31.23), the Greenville 4x400 relay team (4:16.66), and Kenzie Kurdys in the pole vault (10'9.5"). Kurdys record was nearly a foot-and-a-half higher than the previous mark and for that effort she was named the SLIAC Field Newcomer of the Year.
First-year conference member Mississippi University for Women placed 2nd in the team scores with 57 points. The Owls had several athletes take home medals including: Michaiah Adams (60 meters), the Distance Medley Relay team, and Ty'Kerria Young (triple jump); who also won gold in the 60 hurdles.
Spalding University finished 3rd with 35 points. Takara Williams placed 2nd in the pole vault, finishing as the highest scoring individual for the Golden Eagles. Dawn Wilson and Alliyah Thomas also picked up bronze medals while the 4x400 relay team finished 2nd.
Fellow conference newcomer Lyon College had a strong showing in its first year, placing 4th with 31 points. Brianna Krantz set a championship mark in the 400-meters, winning with a time of 1:01.55 seconds. Trinity Davis also took home a medal, finishing 3rd in the pole vault.
Eureka College picked up 23 points, placing 5th. Karissa Heffernan collected a pair of 2nd place finishes in the Mile and 3000 meters while Rachel Fisher finished 3rd in the 800-meters.
With 22 points, Westminster College claimed 6th place. Kalie Strayhorn took home gold in the 200-meter dash, setting a championship time of 26.09 seconds. She also finished 3rd in the 60-meters.
In 7th place was Webster University with 21 points. Symphony Schodroski (high jump) and Isabelle Llewellyn (weight throw) each placed 3rd to lead the Gorloks.
Principia College picked up 14 points, finishing 8th. The Principia Distance Medley Relay team of Sarah Erickson, Amarachi Ejimadu, Joy Onyechi, and Myka Fenton took 2nd place to pace the Panthers.
Fontbonne University was 9th with 7 points. Alex Lofgren earned a medal in the 400-meters to lead the Griffins.
Blackburn College did not score in the team scoring and was led by Moly Koskey and her 9th place showing in the Mile.
(SLIAC Release)
