Final Results
ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's track and field team turned in a strong, well-rounded performance Saturday at the Wildcat Invitational, highlighted by multiple event wins, relay success and a collection of podium finishes.
The Lutes were dominant in the field events, led by Sandra Valmonte, who won the hammer throw with a mark of 146 feet, 3 inches. Samayia White added a third-place finish in the event (134-1), giving PLU two spots on the podium.
Pacific Lutheran also excelled in the pole vault, Kiana Neir claimed the title at 11-5.25. Neir's latest jump puts her 54th in the country in NCAA Division III outdoor rankings. Abigail Caprye followed with a runner-up finish (10-5.5) and added another podium performance with a third-place finish in the high jump (5-1). Sydney Sparks and Lilly Achterling each cleared 4-11 to tie for fourth in the high jump.
Kira Marshall delivered a strong performance in the long jump, placing second with a mark of 17-3.5. This leap is good for a ranking of top 100 in NCAA Divisition III outdoor track.
On the track, the Lutes continued to shine in the relays. The 4x400-meter relay team of Damaris Ibrahim, Jessalyn Robles, Addisen Herring and Heather Johnson placed second in 4 minutes, 24.05 seconds, while the 4x100 relay team of Lexie McGurk, D'Yhana Clemons, Soukhanya Waters and Marshall finished third in 48.87.
Individually, Herring placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (14.04), while Johnson led the 400-meter group with a fourth-place finish (59.70). Robles followed suit in fifth (1:04.32).
Pacific Lutheran continues to build momentum across both track and field events as they return to action Friday, April 17 as they travel on the road to the Lewis & Clark Invitational.
