The efforts of Olivia Cisco and Haidyn Wamsley have been terrific throughout the outdoor track and field season for Shawnee State's unit.
With River States Conference Championship winning performances in the 10,000 meter run and the high jump, respectively, the pair just proved what many already know about them.
Cisco's time of 37:34.83 was the fastest 10,000 meter run time at the River States Conference Championships by nearly a minute-and-a-half and was another NAIA National 'B' Standard performance, while Wamsley's high jump of five feet, five inches bettered fellow top-notch competitor and fellow multi-sport athlete in Point Park's Emma Pavelek by two inches.
These efforts allowed the SSU women's track and field program to claim two conference championship-winning performances and the River States Conference's lead on points as Shawnee State's total of 60.5 points gives the Bears a six point lead over Point Park (Pa.)'s 54.5 following the first of the two-day River States Conference Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Cisco, whose 37:34.83 in the 10,000 meter run sat just 4.8 seconds off of a NAIA National 'A' Standard mark in the event, was one of four Shawnee State runners to finish inside the top-six overall in the event. Jozi Brown, who added in a 39:01.33, placed second while Juniper Allen and Elizabeth Middleton, who notched runs of 40:42.60 and 41:06.28, finished fifth and sixth, respectively -- giving SSU 25 points in just the 10,000 meter run alone.
Cisco, who finished just two seconds off of her personal best, is 22nd in the NAIA in the 10,000 meter run, while Brown's time is good for 39th across the NAIA realm. Allen's mark is 65th nationally in the event while Middleton, who set a personal best in the race, is 71st nationally.
As for Wamsley, the terrific athlete's winning performance was one of three point-producing efforts that she posted on the day. In addition to her five-foot, five-inch high jump that won the conference title, Wamsley's 17-foot and one-half inch long jump placed the Northwest grad fourth in that event, while the talented multi-sport standout added in a sixth-place finish in the javelin throw with a 102-foot, five-inch effort in that event. The Shawnee State Female Athlete of the Year added 18 points on her own accord as a result of her performances in all three of those events.
Along with Wamsley's performances from a jumping perspective, Makaela Lovely finished fourth in the high jump with a five-foot, one-inch performance -- a personal best -- while Makenna Lovely posted a four-foot, 11-inch mark to finish sixth. Brianna Brudy nabbed a fifth-place effort in the high jump with a 16-foot, 11-and-a-half-inch mark, giving SSU 10.5 additonal points between the trio -- who, like Wamsley, are also multi-sport athletes. Brudy also qualified for the finals of both the conference's 100 and 200 meter dash races tomorrow, notching times of 12.83 and 26.13 to place seventh in both races to qualify for the finals and clinch at least one point or more when the points are officially given out following Friday's finals.
Natalie Brammer added a healthy amount of points on her own accord as the Wheelersburg product posted a 32:00.73 to finish fourth in the 5,000 meter racewalk, while Allen, along with Jessica Elick, Amanda Salmons and Mckenna Pannell, scored Shawnee State's final two points in the 4-by-800 meter relay with their collective time of 10:29.41.
Additional
Faith Kuhn and Shelby Rhoden notched throws of 76 feet, seven inches and 69 feet, five inches to finish 15th and 19th in the javelin throw.
Shawnee State will look to complete its successful start with a strong finish to the River States Conference Championships, as the second and final day of action runs throughout the day tomorrow in Pittsburgh, Pa. In addition to SSU and Point Park (Pa.), IU-Kokomo also sits within range of a River States Conference Championship as the Cougars are just 7.5 points back entering the final day. The official standings are listed at https://live.gingerbreadtiming.com/meets/35825/track-scores/genDivMSR%7C35825%7C42532%7C4.
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