Women Compete in Early Bird Invitational for Outdoor Opener

TERRE HAUTE, IND.- The women's track and field team traveled to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to compete in the Early Bird Invitational and finished seventh overall with 41 points. 

The top times of the afternoon included sophomore Laura Lutzke (Williamston, Mich./Williamston) who finished sixth overall in the 100-meter dash after posting a time of 14.15 seconds. Lutzke also finished 13th in the 200-meter dash running a time of 29.73 seconds. 

Sophomore Aaron Textor (Swanton) finished 18th in the 1500-meter run with a time of 5:27.13. 

In field events, sophomore Cassidy Santen (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove North) had the top overall mark for DC in the shot put of 35' 10.75" and placed fifth overall. Santen went on to compete in the javelin and had a best attempt of 87' 2.00" which was good enough for 12th place.  

Sophomore Brooke Waidelich (Pettisville) joined Santen in the shot put and was eighth with a toss of 33' 3.25."  She later captured the discus event with a winning distance of 116' 8.00."  In addition to competing in the shot put and discus, Waidelich finished eighth in the hammer throw and recorded a best mark of 115' 7.00."

Sophomore Hannah Williams (Swanton) finished second in the discus throw with a toss of 116' 6.00" to complete the DC one-two combo placing just behind Waidelich.  Williams also competed in the hammer throw and posted another top-five finish with a four-place showing following a toss of 120' 7.00."

Senior Nicole Walls (Carleton, Mich./Airport) finished 11th in the discus throw after posting a mark of 87' 00.00 and placed fifth in the hammer throw with a distance of 119' 6.00."

Defiance is scheduled to host the annual Dick Small Invitational next Saturday (March 26) at the Justin F. Coressel Stadium. The meet is scheduled to begin at noon.