MARYVILLE, Mo. - The University of Saint Mary women's indoor track team turned heads this past weekend with standout performances at the prestigious Mel Tjeerdsma Classic. The event featured a strong field of competitors, but the Spires left a lasting impression with several record-breaking and national-qualifying performances.
Gretchen Raney was a force to be reckoned with, leaving the competition behind in multiple events and rewriting the Saint Mary record books. Her stellar day began in the 60-meter dash, where she clocked a blazing 7.54 seconds to secure first place, meet the NAIA National A Standard, and set a new school record. Raney continued her record-setting streak in the 200 meters, finishing second overall with a time of 25.27 seconds and breaking yet another school record.
Distance Runners Dominate
In the 3000 meters, Riley Hiebert led the way with a commanding first-place finish in 10:05.50, meeting the NAIA National B Standard.
Hope Crabtree delivered a strong performance in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing third with a time of 9.05 seconds. Her effort not only secured a podium finish but also set a new school record, further demonstrating her versatility as a key contributor to the team.
Other Notable Performances
The Spires demonstrated depth across multiple events. Highlights include:
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3000 Meters: Reagan Hiebert (2nd place, 10:08) and Josie Tyrrell (3rd place, 10:18) completed a podium sweep alongside Riley Hiebert.
1000 Meters: Carlie Gregg secured second place with a time of 3:02, showcasing her strength in mid-distance events. She was just 3 seconds removed from the NAIA B Standard.
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4x400-Meter Relay: The team of Hope Crabtree, Deslyne Cooper, Jane Duteil, and Gretchen Raney finished second with a time of 3:56.07, earning an NAIA National B Standard and setting a school record.
Looking Ahead
With multiple national-qualifying marks and school records shattered, the University of Saint Mary women's indoor track team has set a high bar early in the season. The Spires will look to build on this momentum as they will prepare competition back for next year's Washburn Rust Buster on January 17th in Topeka, Kansas.
