The Shippensburg University women’s track-and-field team traveled to the University of Richmond over the weekend to compete at the Fred Hardy Invitational, putting forth some stellar finishes.

The Raiders’ efforts resulted in 30 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifiers and four NCAA provisional-qualifying marks in the two-day event.

SU’s jumpers stood out above the crowd on Day 1, dominating in the outdoor season opener. Abby Wagner and Sarah Hunt dominated in the triple jump, as they both reached NCAA provisional-qualifying marks of 40 feet, 3 1/4 inches, and 40 feet, 2 inches, respectively. Wagner and Hunt finished first and second in the triple jump, respectively.

The throwers put together solid performances on Friday as well, with Tamara Ovejera and Paige Shirk leading the way for the Raiders in the shot put. Ovejera finished fourth with a throw of 44 feet, 0 3/4 inches, while Shirk finished with a throw of 40 feet, 4 3/4 inches. Both throws were PSAC qualifiers.

The team’s other top performances on Friday included Casey Norton’s first-place finish in the 5K with a time of 17:41.89. Norton’s time qualified her for the PSAC Championships alongside teammate Bryanna Dissinger, who finished fourth with a time of 18:28.15.

Emily Kachik finished second in the 10K with a time of 39:33.04, a time worthy of a PSAC qualification. Kali Hepner also finished fourth in the pole vault with a vault of 11 feet, 5 3/4 inches, rounding out the competition on Friday.

On Saturday, the jumpers were stellar once again, as the Raiders went 1-2-3 in the long jump. Hunt led the way with a jump of 19 feet, 8 3/4 inches to earn her second NCAA provisional qualification of the weekend. Alongside Hunt were Danielle Sciremammano and Wagner, who finished second and third. Sciremammano finished with a jump of 18 feet, 3 inches, while Wagner registered a jump of 17 feet, 11 1/4 inches.

Other strong finishes included Crystal Hartman, who placed second in the javelin with a throw of 133 feet, 10 inches, an NCAA provisional-qualifying throw. Kelly Logan finished in eighth place in the javelin with a throw of 124 feet.

In the 100-meter dash, Jill Bertino led SU with a time of 12.65 seconds. Bertino was also a member of the 4X100 relay that included Mary Ramsden, Lindsay Sheehan and Hunt.

The Raiders’ relay won the event with a time of 47.75 seconds.

The Raiders also obtained strong performances by Lindsey Gerlach, Dior Alston and Cirsten Kelly on Saturday. Gerlach paced SU in the 3K, as she finished with a time of 10:55.50. Alston was SU’s top finisher in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.91 seconds, with Bertino finishing right behind her with a time of 25.92 seconds. Kelly led SU in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.47 seconds.

The team will be back in action this weekend, splitting the team with one group heading to the College of William & Mary on Friday and Saturday to compete in the Colonial Relays, while the other group will travel to Millersville University for the Millersville Metrics on Saturday.

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