Women’s Track Competes at AU Pre-Conference Meet

ANDERSON, Ind. – The women's track and field team posted some impressive individual performances at the AU Pre-Conference Invitational on Thursday. Rolander led DC's sprinters, Howell was a standout in the jumping events, and Kaitlin Switzer cruised in the 1,500-meter run.

Rolander posted the fourth-fastest 100-meter dash in the conference this season with her time of 13.66 seconds. She also strengthened her standing on the HCAC's 100-meter hurdles performances list with a season-best time of 16.38 seconds, giving her the third-fastest time in the conference this season.

Kim Bingley turned in her fastest 200-meter dash of the season, crossing the line in 27.84 seconds to tie for seventh in the HCAC this year. She also notched a personal-record clearance of 4' 8.25" in the high jump to claim eighth place in the conference standings.

Howell appears to be peaking at the right time, after posting her best marks of the season in both the long jump and triple jump. The sophomore athlete leapt a personal-best 15' 11.75" in the long jump for a fifth-place standing the HCAC this season and a top-ten spot in DC's all-time record books. She also placed third at the meet in the triple jump with a mark of 32' 4.75" to move into fourth place in the HCAC this year.

DC's Kaitlin Switzer and Ericah Griep led the distance runners with a pair of strong performances in the 1,500-meter run. Switzer recorded a personal-best time of 5:02.03 in the 1,500-meter run to move into sixth place in the conference standings and take the number-two spot in the DC record books. Griep came in at 5:04.29 for a seventh-place finish at the meet.

Other notable performers included Kaye Bockbrader, who led Defiance in the javelin throw with a personal-best heave of 98 feet, which ranks fifth in the conference this season.

The Yellow Jackets will now set their eyes on the 2011 HCAC Outdoor Championships, set to begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, and run through Saturday afternoon. Defiance placed second at last season's championship meet, and will aim to knock off the defending champion Franklin Grizzlies.