Martin Hits Standard at Mount Mercy Event

Cedar Rapids--Erica Martin (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Sports Management) will return to nationals after posting a qualifying mark at the Mount Mercy Distance Carnival Friday and Saturday.

Martin, who was an indoor NAIA national qualifier, will join the field in the outdoor campaign after winning the shot put with an automatic-qualifying throw of 44-11.

Abigaille Batu-Tiako (Sr., Plattsburgh, N.Y., Business Management) also topped the long jump competition with a distance of 18-7.25.  The senior was also second in the 100-meter dash in 12.25 seconds.

A'Luel Miller (Fr., Kansas City, Kan., Wellness and Recreation) was right behind her teammate in the long jump at 17-8.25, while also placing fifth in the 200-meter dash at 26.22.

WPU's 4x100-meter relay crew earned runner-up honors as well in 49.06 seconds.

Following Batu-Tiako and Miller, several other Statesmen sprinters also had top-half efforts, including Alexandra Rose (Jr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science) ending up fifth in the 100 (12.54) and ninth in the 200 (26.59).

Tabitha Rogers (So., Venice, Calif., Elementary Education) was twice 12th with a 100 time of 12.96 and a 200 time of 26.74, while Vashansti Glover (Fr., Davenport, Iowa, Exercise Science) was 13th in both races (12.96 in the 100, 26.80 in the 200).

Makailah Kelley (Sr., Canton Lake, Calif., Political Science) managed an 11th-place finish in the 200 as well (26.67).

Briana Admire (Fr., Galesburg, Ill., Biology) headlined the distance running as she was fourth in the 1,500-meter run (5:21.19) and seventh in the 800-meter run (2:33.21).

Charlotte Hele (Fr., Apple Valley, Calif., Undecided) also posted a pair of top placings as she was sixth in the 1,500 (5:30.88) and 12th in the 800 (2:39.75).

Elizabeth Hele (Sr., Victorville, Calif., Biology), in ninth (2:35.89), and Roselaure Fuller (Jr., Pella, Iowa, Nursing), in 14th (2:43.27), also performed well in the 800.

Phoebe Burt (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa, Sociology) complemented Martin in the throws by taking ninth in the discus at 126-0.

"I never get tired of saying that our women are truly PR machines," Head Coach Victoria Vinokur said.  "They just continue to improve every week and that is extremely hard to do.  Erica Martin has been battling a hamstring injury, so for her to walk out there and blast a national-qualifying mark was a fun moment for our throws squad.  Abi Batu-Tiako continues her great senior campaign.  After a great first day in the long jump, for her to come back the next day and nearly break the 100 school record, she has really come into her own as a sprinter/jumper combo."

Next Up: William Penn will split its squad with some individuals going to Lawrence, Kan. next Thursday through Saturday for the Kansas Relays, while others will head to Iowa City next Saturday to compete in the Musco Twilight hosted by Iowa.