by Dena Meiste
The Hope College women's track and field team had a solid outing at Grand Valley State University's Al Owens Classic this weekend, competing alongside student-athletes from across divisions.
Though the Flying Dutch came away with only a handful of top-10 finishes, their times and distances proved to be some of the best of the season.
Sophomore Ana Tucker (Midland, Michigan / Herbert Henry Dow) earned the team's highest finish on the track of the meet, taking third place in the 1,500 meters. With a new career-best time of 4:32.94, the sophomore was only beaten by a pair of NCAA Division I runners from Western Michigan University.
Senior Jacinda Cole placed in the top-10 in both the 800 meters and 1,500 meters, setting two new collegiate-best marks in the process. The Holland, Michigan native (West Ottawa) clocked a 2:19.18 in the 800 to place second in her flight and eighth overall. Cole went on to take ninth in the 1,500-meter race behind a time of 4:41.13.
The triple jump competition saw three Hope student-athletes land in the top-10, including a third-place performance by Addyson Gerig. The senior from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa) saved her best jump for her fifth and final attempt, stretching the tape to 10.53 meters (34 feet, 6 ¼ inches) to earn the final spot on the podium.
Junior Ellie Haan (McBain, Michigan / Northern Michigan Christian) took fifth at 9.56m (31-4 1/2) in the triple jump, with senior Hannah Bredeweg (Benton Harbor, Michigan / Stevensville-Lakeshore) right behind her in sixth place at 9.55 meters (31-4).
In the shot put, Alana Policastro (Geneva, Illinois / Geneva Community) jumped from sixth to fourth place in her final attempt. The freshman landed a fifth-round throw of 10.83m (35-6 ½) in her last trip to the circle.
Policastro earned her second top-10 finish of the day in the discus throw, taking eighth overall at 29.70 meters (97-5).
Freshman Bethany Colbrunn (Zeeland, Michigan/ Zeeland East) landed the best vault of her rookie season, clearing a height of 2.85m (9-4 ¼) to finish in ninth.
Other notable performances include Helen Dodge (Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan / Grosse Pointe South) in the 100 and 200 meters. The sophomore lowered her career-best time in the 100 to 12.90, while also running a career-best time in the 200 (26.37) to win her section.
