YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The Eastern Michigan women's track and field team captured its ninth Mid-American Conference Indoor Track and Field titke at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Bowen Fieldhouse.
Eastern Michigan's Paige Marchant claimed three individual titles on the track to lead the women as the Eagles scored 144.5 points to win the crown for the second consecutive year. Kent State placing second with 85.5 points, 59 points being the Eagles. The top five standings were rounded out by Ball State University (61.5 points), Bowling Green State University (59.0) and Miami University (57.5).
In total, EMU captured eight event titles with Marchant winning the 800m, mile, and 3,000m run to lead the charge. The team of Saraiah Walkes, Tijana Japundzic, Noriyah Johnson, and Josaphine Oloye won the 4x400m relay after Walkes won the 60m and 200m events. Field event titles were won by Kyra Buffen in the triple jump and Miranda Cadwell in the weight throw.
Two more women etched their names into Eastern’s all-time top 10 lists Saturday. For the women’s Alyson Davis ran 7.45 to finish second in the 60m dash to not only help EMU sweep the top two spots, but also move into a tie for No. 9 all-time at EMU. In the field, freshman Claire Allen sent the shot out to 13.51m (44-04.00) to finish fifth in the shot put and move into the No. 8 position all-time.
EMU head track and field coach Sue Parks garnered MAC Women's Coach of the Year honors on the strength of the Eagles efforts on the weekend.
Women's Team Results
1. Eastern Michigan – 144.5 points
2. Kent State – 85.5 points
3. Ball State – 61.5 points
4. Bowling Green – 59 points
5. Miami – 57.5 points
6. Western Michigan – 52 points
7. Toledo – 48 points
8. Akron – 44 points
9. Central Michigan – 42 points
10. Buffalo – 28 points
11. Ohio – 21 points
12. Northern Illinois – 19 points
Women's Coach of the Year
Sue Parks, Eastern Michigan
Women's Most Valuable Performer
Paige Marchant, Eastern Michigan
Women’s Freshman Track Performer of the Year
Paige Marchant, Eastern Michigan
Women’s Freshman Co-Field Performers of the Year
Ariana Calloway, NIU
Sandra Ferrari, Western Michigan
