ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A record-setting final day for the University of Chicago women’s track & field team resulted in a fifth-place team finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday.
With 251 represented schools competing during the three-day meet, UChicago’s fifth place was its highest team finish ever at the outdoor national meet.
The 1,500 meters saw three Maroons in the finals. Maddie Kelly smashed her own school record with a time of 4:22.97, beating her previous best by nearly five seconds. Kelly took second place in the race to earn All-American status. She was joined on the All-American podium by teammate Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel, who claimed sixth place in 4:23.80.
In the 100-meter finals, Gabriela Meschino chopped 0.12 seconds off her prelims mark with a time of 11.74. The junior finished third in the event and garnered All-American honors.
The 4×100-meter relay team set a new school record by crossing the finish line in 46.18. The relay quartet of Camila Garanton, Meschino, Isabel Layne and Maddie Lyons secured All-American awards with a fourth-place showing in the race.
Loren Brown broke her own school record in the 400-meter hurdles as well. The sophomore ran 1:00.39 to take sixth overall and achieve All-American accolades.
UChicago wrapped up the weekend with four competitors in the 5,000 meters. Anna Kenig-Ziesler picked up her second All-American honor of the meet by finishing seventh in a time of 16:56.32.
UChicago Women’s Results 1,500 meters – Maddie Kelly (2nd, 4:22.97); Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel (6th, 4:23.80); Catherine Wimmer (9th, 4:28.04) 100 meters – Gabriela Meschino (3rd, 11.74)4×100-meter relay – 4th, 46.18 (Camila Garanton, Gabriela Meschino, Isabel Layne, Maddie Lyons) 400-meter hurdles – Loren Brown (6th, 1:00.39) 5,000 meters – Anna Kenig-Ziesler (7th, 16:56.32); Katarina Birimac (9th, 17:01.42); Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel (10th, 17:08.83); Maddie Kelly (17th, 17:27.70)