Chicago Women’s Track and Field Wins Title at UAA Indoor Championships

Chicago Women’s Track and Field Wins Title at UAA Indoor Championships

From University of Chicago Athletics

The University of Chicago women's track and field team clinched its second-straight conference title and the Maroon men's team took second place at the conclusion of the 2015 University Athletic Association (UAA) Indoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday.

UChicago won the seven-team women's meet with 154 points while Washington University-St. Louis was second with 131 points.

The Maroons won two events on the day, which included a top-three sweep of the shot put. Junior Nkemdilim Nwaokolo recorded the winning throw of 12.58 meters and she was followed by a pair of teammates – senior Reecie Dern (11.52 meters) and freshman Ade Ayoola (11.50 meters). UChicago also captured the top two spots in the one mile. Freshman Megan Verner-Crist scored her first career UAA title in a time of 4:58.58 and junior Brianna Hickey was runner-up in 4:59.65.

Junior Mikaela Hammel broke a school record in the 400 meters. Hammel ran a time of 58.08 to take second place in the event and earn All-UAA status. Three other All-UAA performers were runner-up in their events, including Ayoola in the high jump (1.63 meters), sophomore Michelle Dobbs in the 800 meters (2:14.84) and senior Pam Yu in the triple jump (10.75 meters). In the 200 meters, junior Alison Pildner garnered All-UAA honors after finishing third in 26.17. The 4x400-meter relay of Hammel, Pildner, sophomore Eleanor Kang and Dobbs took second place in 3:56.19.

UChicago Top Finishers (Women)
Shot Put – Nkemdilim Nwaokolo (1st, 12.58 meters); Reecie Dern (2nd, 11.52 meters); Ade Ayoola (3rd, 11.50 meters)
One Mile – Megan Verner-Crist (1st, 4:58.58); Brianna Hickey (2nd, 4:59.65)
400 meters – Mikaela Hammel (2nd, 58.08)
800 meters – Michelle Dobbs (2nd, 2:14.84)
High Jump – Ade Ayoola (2nd, 1.63 meters)
Triple Jump – Pam Yu (2nd, 10.75 meters)
4x400-meter relay – 2nd, 3:56.19 (Mikaela Hammel, Alison Pildner, Eleanor Kang, Michelle Dobbs)
200 meters – Alison Pildner (3rd, 26.17)