YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Cleveland State track and field team kicked off action at the 2017 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championship Saturday, with the Distance Medley Relay team placing fifth in the Vikings' top finish.
The DMR team of Karen Barrientos, Bridget Smik, Alexandria Derkacs, and Samantha Butterbaugh finished fifth in a time of 12:29.78, beating out teams from Wright State, UIC, and Valparaiso. The Vikings bettered their DMR time by 26 seconds from last running it at the YSU National Invitational, while Butterbaugh recorded a lifetime best of 5:11 in the mile leg.
Cleveland State was also represented in a trio of prelim races Saturday, with five Vikings participating in the 60 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, and 800 Meter Run.
Smik was the lone runner in the 60 Meter Dash, finishing 16th in a time of 8.58, while Danielle Yasenchack finished 15th in the 200 Meter Dash with a time of 27.84.
Three Vikings ran in the 800 Meter Run, with Hammons placing 14th (2:27.02), Deanna Calder finishing 15th (2:30.23), and Jessica Finley placing 16th (2:31.25). All three of these Vikings combined to take off 18 seconds since last running in the event at the Kent State Tuneup.
All Vikings that competed on the first day of the Indoor Championship set personal bests in all races, while also marking program records in all events.
Action wraps up at the 2017 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championship tomorrow (Sunday, February 26).
60 Meter Dash Prelims
16. Bridget Smik, 8.58
800 Meter Run Prelims
14. Olivia Hammons, 2:27.02
15. Deanna Calder, 2:30.23
16. Jessica Finley, 2:31.25
200 Meter Dash Prelims
15. Danielle Yasenchack, 27.84
Distance Medley Relay
5. Cleveland State, 12:29.78
Barrientos, Smik, Derkacs, Butterbaugh
