Women's Track and Field Wins Two Events, Takes Day 1 Lead at MIAA Outdoor Championships

PIctured, junior Greta Robrahn

Rebecca Markham runs the 10,000 meters at MIAA Outdoor Championships — Rebecca Markham by Lynne Powe

Senior distance runner Rebecca Markham and junior thrower Greta Robrahn helped the Hope College women's track and field team get off to a strong start at the MIAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday.

Both delivered winning performances and propelled the Flying Dutch to a Day 1 total of 70 points at the MIAA Outdoor Championships hosted by Calvin University at Gainey Athletic Complex.

Hope takes a six-point lead over second-place Calvin and nine-point lead over third-place Trine University heading into the final day of the seven-team meet on Friday, May 3. The competition begins at noon.

Markham (Hoffman Estates, Illinois / William Fremd HS) claimed the women's 10,000-meter title by clocking a time of 40 minutes, 21.10 seconds.

The civil engineering major became the Flying Dutch's fifth MIAA champion in the event after finishing 30 seconds ahead of the field.

Robrahn (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) captured her first women's shot put crown with a toss of 12.32 meters (40 feet, 5 inches). The physical and health education major is the Flying Dutch's ninth MIAA champion in the event and the first since 2008.

Head coach Kevin Cole said both Markham and Robrahn delivered again for the Flying Dutch, who are seeking a sixth consecutive MIAA outdoor team title.

"They are a couple we just count on," Cole said. "We know they are going to give their best in every event. They've got another event to go yet. We expect great things from them [during Day 2]."

Hope earned 20 points in the shot behind four scoring throwers. Sophomore Kamryn Bice (Monroe, Michigan / Monroe) finished fourth with a distance of 11.85 meters (38-10 ½). Senior Libby Strotman (Park Ridge, Illinois / Maine Township) placed sixth at 11.27 meters (36-11 ¾). Senior Alana Policastro (Geneva, Illinois / Geneva Community) was seventh at 11.10 meters (36-5).

The Flying Dutch totaled 15 points in the 10,000 meters as three runners scored. Sophomore Alexis Deighan (Birmingham, Michigan / Seaholm) took fifth with a time of 41:34.24. Senior Emily Scott (Naperville, Illinois / Naperville Central) was eighth at 43:05.15.

Hope scored points in four more events on Thursday.

In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, junior Maddy Struck (Hainesville, Illinois / Grayslake Central) posted a third-place run of 10:59.79. It was the 25th fastest run in NCAA Division III this season.

Junior Kennedy Kuhlmann (Grand Blanc, Michigan / Grand Blanc) clocked a season-best and seventh-place time of 11:58.55. Freshman Annika Sytsma (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian) was eighth with a personal-best run of 11:59.76.

In the hammer throw, sophomore Sophia Raymond (Woodstock, Illinois / Woodstock) recorded a third-place and PR throw of 40.93 meters (134-3). Sophomore Elsa Clausen (Seneca, Illinois / Oswego East) finished fifth with a PR of 39.64 meters (130-0). Junior Marlie McDonald (Saranac, Michigan / Lowell) was sixth with a season-best 39.05 meters (128-1).

In the long jump, sophomore Elliana Johnson (East Lansing, Michigan / Haslett) placed fifth with a season-best leap of 4.90 meters (16-1). Freshman Bridget Crombie (Lansing, Michigan / Home School) took sixth at 4.78 meters (15-8 ¼). Sophomore Meredith Kramer (Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan / Grosse Pointe South) was eighth with a season-best 4.70 meters (15-5).

In the pole vault, senior Bethany Colbrunn (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) delivered a fifth-place finish with a PR of 3.20 meters (10-6). Freshman Abigail Cumings (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) was eighth with a season-best 2.90 meters (9-6 ¼).

Gallery: (5-1-2024) Women's Outdoor Track and Field

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