BLOOMINGTON – The Carthage women's track & field team returned to action in Bloomington, Illinois, on day two of the 2026 CCIW Indoor Track & Field Championships. The day's highlight came from Madison Payne, who captured the shot put title and was named the meet's Field Athlete of the Meet.



The Firebirds placed sixth, scoring 64 points.

Elmhurst took first place with 155.33 points. North Central and Illinois Wesleyan rounded out the top three spots, scoring 111.66 and 94.33 points. 
 

DISTANCE
Jessie Pakaski placed eighth in the 800 meter run, clocking a time of 2:22.72.

In the 3,000 meter run, Kylie Florance ran a personal best of 10:41.40 for a fourth-place finish. 

THROWS
Four Firebirds scored for the team in the shot put. Payne led the Firebirds in first place with a mark of 13.50 meters. Lillian Townsend followed right behind in second place, throwing 12.97 meters. Jackie Tuzil and Caylene Von-Schilling placed fourth and sixth with marks of 12.16 meters and 11.97 meters. 

RELAYS
The Firebirds relay team of Kylie Kutner, Mandy Nelson, Shaylen Quinn, and Rylie Wilson placed eighth in the 4 x 400 meter relay in a time of 4:13.80. 


NCAA Performance List
Madison Payne is ranked 13th on the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Qualifying List in the shot put. 


The Firebirds return to action on Friday, March 6, at the Ripon Final Qualifier (hosted by Ripon) and the Firebird Finale (hosted by Carthage). For more information, visit  athletics.carthage.edu.