Cardinals Finish 2nd At National Championship
The MAC women's track and field team delivered one of the top performances in program history at the NJCAA Division III Women's Track and Field National Championship, finishing national runner-up with 122.5 team points.
The Cardinals placed second overall behind national champion College of DuPage, which finished with 138.5 points.
Freshman distance standout Clay Whittenburg highlighted the weekend by capturing a national championship in the 5,000 meters. Whittenburg crossed the finish line in 19:42.07 to earn the title and 10 team points for the Cardinals. She also added another All-American performance in the 1,500 meters, finishing fourth in a personal-best 5:15.51.
Another freshman, Emily Marriott, also claimed a national championship by winning the 10,000 meters in a personal-best time of 42:02.92. Marriott was equally impressive in the 5,000 meters, placing third in 19:57.72, and later added a fifth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with another personal-best effort of 13:30.23.
MAC dominated several field events throughout the championship meet.
Freshman thrower Madison Kirkpatrick earned a national title in the discus with a personal-best throw of 36.19 meters (118 feet, 9 inches). Kirkpatrick also placed third in the shot put with a toss of 10.56 meters (34-7.75).
The Cardinals swept the top two spots in the discus as sophomore Addison Waller-Brenneke finished runner-up with a throw of 36.05 meters (118-3).
Sophomore Lexi Walker added another national championship for MAC in the hammer throw, winning the event with a toss of 42.45 meters (139-3). Teammate Harlie Hinkle also scored with a fifth-place finish at 37.96 meters (124-6).
In the javelin, the Cardinals showcased outstanding depth with three top-four finishers. Freshman Ciara McDonald placed second at 32.02 meters (105-0), while Katie Ressel finished third at 31.84 meters (104-5). Multi-event standout Mckensie Collins added a fourth-place finish in the event with a throw of 29.69 meters (97-5).
Collins enjoyed one of the most productive meets of any athlete in the nation. The freshman captured the national championship in the heptathlon with a personal-best 3,437 points, while also placing fourth in the 100-meter hurdles and fourth in the javelin.
Freshman Terra Fenwick added another All-American finish with a fourth-place effort in the high jump, clearing 1.39 meters (4-6.75).
MAC also scored valuable relay points in the 4x800-meter relay. The team of Alyson Skiles, Clay Whittenburg, Sara Akins and Emily Marriott finished third overall in a personal-best time of 11:06.70.
MAC top-five national finishes included:
- Clay Whittenburg — National Champion, 5,000 meters (19:42.07)
- Emily Marriott — National Champion, 10,000 meters (42:02.92)
- Madison Kirkpatrick — National Champion, Discus (36.19m / 118-9)
- Lexi Walker — National Champion, Hammer Throw (42.45m / 139-3)
- Mckensie Collins — National Champion, Heptathlon (3,437 points)
- Ciara McDonald — 2nd Place, Javelin (32.02m / 105-0)
- Addison Waller-Brenneke — 2nd Place, Discus (36.05m / 118-3)
- Katie Ressel — 3rd Place, Javelin (31.84m / 104-5)
- Madison Kirkpatrick — 3rd Place, Shot Put (10.56m / 34-7.75)
- Emily Marriott — 3rd Place, 5,000 meters (19:57.72)
- Alyson Skiles, Clay Whittenburg, Sara Akins and Emily Marriott — 3rd Place, 4x800 Relay (11:06.70)
- Clay Whittenburg — 4th Place, 1,500 meters (5:15.51)
- Mckensie Collins — 4th Place, 100-meter hurdles (17.68)
- Mckensie Collins — 4th Place, Javelin (29.69m / 97-5)
- Terra Fenwick — 4th Place, High Jump (1.39m / 4-6.75)
- Emily Marriott — 5th Place, 3,000-meter steeplechase (13:30.23)
- Harlie Hinkle — 5th Place, Hammer Throw (37.96m / 124-6)