From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago outdoor track & field teams kicked off day one of the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships by winning four events on Saturday.
As the host institution, UChicago welcomed the six other UAA track & field programs to Stagg Field and Ted Haydon Track. The weather proved challenging, with temperatures in the 40s and bouts of rain and hail pellets.
The women's 10,000 meters featured a photo finish as Anna Kenig-Ziesler and Katarina Birimac matched each other stride for stride the entire race. Kenig-Ziesler prevailed at the end by 0.04 seconds to claim the UAA title. Her time of 35:29.90 also set a new Haydon Track record.
Molly Laumakis was a double winner in the throwing events. UChicago grabbed the top two placements in the hammer throw, with Laumakis posting a winning heave of 48.33 meters and Opeoluwa Olusi finishing runner-up at 47.30 meters. Laumakis took the top podium spot in the shot put as well with a toss of 13.43 meters.
Celeste Taylor and Susannah Truitt earned All-UAA honors by finishing second and third, respectively, in the women's pole vault. Taylor surpassed 3.70 meters and Truitt cleared 3.40 meters.
Caitlin Jorgensen placed second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:07.39, while Marina Semple was runner-up in the long jump at 5.54 meters. The 4x800-meter relay rounded up the top results with a second-place showing in 9:12.65. The relay featured Emma Kelly, Maddie Kelly, Catherine Wimmer and Nora Holmes.
On the men's side, Simon Dixon captured the title in the shot put. His final throw traveled 16.02 meters. Dixon also was an All-UAA performer in the hammer throw after earning third place at 48.01 meters.
Jack Barbour posted an All-UAA finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, taking third in 9:50.11.
UChicago Women's Top Finishers
10,000 meters – Anna Kenig-Ziesler (1st, 35:29.90); Katarina Birimac (2nd, 35:29.94); Sophie Tedesco (4th, 35:58.19)
Hammer Throw – Molly Laumakis (1st, 48.33 meters); Opeoluwa Olusi (2nd, 47.30 meters)
Shot Put – Molly Laumakis (1st, 13.43 meters)
Pole Vault – Celeste Taylor (2nd, 3.70 meters); Susannah Truitt (3rd, 3.40 meters)
3,000-meter steeplechase – Caitlin Jorgensen (2nd, 11:07.39); Elizabeth Jasminski (5th, 12:08.33)
Long Jump – Marina Semple (2nd, 5.54 meters)
4x800-meter relay – 2nd, 9:12.65 (Emma Kelly, Maddie Kelly, Catherine Wimmer, Nora Holmes)
UChicago Men's Top Finishers
Shot Put – Simon Dixon (1st, 16.02 meters)
Hammer Throw – Simon Dixon (3rd, 48.01 meters)
3,000-meter steeplechase – Jack Barbour (3rd, 9:21.71); Connor Heron (8th, 9:47.36)
Long Jump – Parker Emerson (4th, 6.69 meters)
4x800-meter relay – 5th, 7:57.42 (Jabari Owens, Joe Lemna, Tommy Donohoe, Dan Spellman)
10,000 meters – Luke Collins (11th, 31.42.93); Zach Taubman (13th, 31:52.80)
Pole Vault – Jason Theisen (12th, 3.70 meters)