NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Carthage women's track & field team traveled to North Central College on Saturday to compete in the Heenan Invitational. This would mark the first time the Firebirds have competed away from home in 2024.
- North Central (Ill.) - 194.5
- Carthage - 129
- Olivet Nazarene - 93
- St. Francis (Ill.) - 56
- North Park - 39
- Harper - 25.5
- Benedictine (Ill.) - 8
- Roosevelt - 1
- Concordia Univ. Chicago - 0
The Firebirds dominated in the shot put, claiming the top six spots in the event. Aubrey Schoeneman won the event with a throw of 14.01m. Madison Payne placed second at 13.12m, while Alyssa Gulsvig took third at 12.47m. Alexis Mattox, Mikayla Wright, and Jackie Tuzil rounded out the top six.
It was also another strong day for the Firebirds in the weight throw. Mattox led the way with her third victory in the event this season and a personal best throw of 18.04m. Nicole Tarpley placed third at 16.31m, while Schoeneman took fourth place at 16.12m. Dora Dill placed fifth, while Payne took sixth and Wright took eighth.
Kylie Smith cruised to victory in her 2024 debut, winning the mile in 5:24.71. Kaitlyn Jerbi took seventh place, while Kylie Florance took eighth.
Anna Kegel led the field in the 60m dash prelims with a time of 8.10 seconds, before placing second in 8.04. Mandy Nelson also qualified for finals and finished sixth in 8.23.
Angelina Gersch placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 10.61m.
The Firebirds entered two teams into the 4x400m relay. Team A, which consisted of Nelson, Gersch, Sarah Kerfin, and Julie Heinrichs placed second in 4:21. Team B, made up of Cori Cavannaugh, Tara Schaalma, Gabriella-Marie Rinon, and Maya Stone placed fourth in 4:33.5.
Kegel placed third in the long jump with a mark of 5.31m. Christina Hall placed sixth at 5.12m.
Teagan Johnston placed third in the high jump, clearing 1.48m.
Schaalma and Julia Kraus qualified for finals in the 60m hurdles. In the finals, Schaalma took sixth in 9.87, with Kraus finishing eighth in 10.16.
Smith placed sixth in the 800m run with a time of 2:29.87.
Kerfin placed seventh in the 200m with a time of 28.24 seconds.
"After a good week of practice we had an even better meet today with multiple lifetime PRs," said Head Coach
Stephanie Domin. "I am proud of the way the team competed. Our throwers had a monster day with a total of 12 PRs. Alexis [Mattox] threw a 18.02 meters throw in the weight throw to place her first in the event and ranks her 2nd on the NCAA indoor list. This throw also puts her on the All Time list at #5. Carthage placed 6 places in the weight throw with multiple PRs.
Carthage throwers also placed 1st thru 6th in the shot put. Aubrey [Schoeneman] won the shot put with a throw of 14.01 and is currently ranked first on the NCAA indoor list with a previous mark.
Anna [Kegel] and Angelina [Gersch] led our sprint jumps group today. Anna placed second in the 60 meter dash and third in the long jump with a lifetime PR of 5.31 meters. Angelina had a solid triple jump performance finishing second. Tara [Schaalma] and Julia [Kraus] also had solid performances by placing in the 60 meter hurdles with lifetime PRs.
Fresh off her J-Term trip from Greece Kylie [Smith] won the mile and came back to place 6th in the 800. Both performances were lifetime PRs. Katie [Jerbi] had a great day dropping major time in the mile and 800.
We had a solid meet all around today and we are moving in the right direction. We are excited for the team to build on these performances."
Track & Field returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 27 as the Firebirds travel to Whitewater, Wis. to compete in the Squig Converse at UW-Whitewater. The Firebirds return to the Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center on Feb. 2 as the team will host the Tadd Metzger Invite and Multi.For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.
