NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's track & field team won three events as the Knights hosted the Carleton Relays.
Aliya Larsen grabbed the top spot in the 1500-meter run,
Willa Bishop won the javelin, and the Knights capped the day by being first to the finish line in the 4x400-meter relay.
"Today our seniors stepped on the Carleton track for the last time," said Carleton head coach
Donna Ricks. "It is always a bit sentimental to watch our seniors compete. Over their four years, they have been instrumental in guiding their teammates with their work ethic, positive attitudes, and genuine concern for the well-being of each other. I am grateful for their four years and that they still have a few more meets to wear the Carleton uniform."
This marked the final time that the four seniors on the roster —
Lara Erickson, Sophie McManus, Libby Rowland, and
Maggie Votruba — would race at Laird Stadium.
While Larsen was the victor in the 1500-meter run after crossing the line at a personal-best 4:43.10, all four seniors also took part that distance. Erickson finished third (personal best 4:48.47), McManus finished fifth (4:52.54), Rowland was seventh (4:54.30), while Votruba clocked a personal-best time of 5:21.17.
Rowland placed second overall in the 400-meter hurdles at 1:09.86, and Erickson also ran the second leg on the victorious 4x400 relay
"Libby is such a gamer," said Ricks. "It was so fun to see her in the 1500 and then go out of her comfort zone to race the 400 hurdlers."
In the javelin, Bishop uncorked a personal-best throw of 31.57 meters on her second attempt. That distance stood up and ended up winning the competition by nearly two feet. She also set a PR in the discus, placing 12th at 30.87 meters.
The meet concluded with the 4x400.
Stephanie Baranov gave Carleton the lead, and Erickson, Islam, and
Maddy Reckmeyer maintained the advantage as the Knights combined on a time of 4:14.72.
Other top-five finishes on the track included:
•
Michelle Musa and
Alice Islam placing third and fourth, respectively, in the 100-meter dash at 13.14 and 13.16. Both times were new PRs.
• Musa was also fifth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.86.
•
Charlotte Kusch took fifth in the 400-meter dash, covering the distance in 1:01.01.
• Islam was the runner up in the high jump, clearing 1.40 meters. Baranov competed I the event for the first time and was fifth at 1.30 meters.
"The team had a great deal of fun today," said Ricks. "It is heartwarming to see the support they give to one another and the personal bests that came with the day."
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will have three runners competing at the prestigious Drake Relays on Thursday, April 24. McManus and Rowland will take part in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Larsen will race the 10,000-meter run.
