U-M Women’s Track and Field Shines at Silverston Invitational
Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Silverston Invitational showcased impressive performances from the University of Michigan’s women’s track and field team on February 20. Though there was no team scoring, several athletes made headlines with their personal bests and top finishes.
Standout Performances
Iliana Downing stole the show in the pole vault, achieving a personal best of 4.15 meters. This remarkable feat landed her in the sixth spot on the program’s all-time list. Teammate Kourtney Rathke also excelled, finishing third with 3.85 meters.
In the 60-meter dash, Keyanna O’Tey sped to a preliminary time of 7.38 seconds, tying her for fourth among the program’s elite. She maintained her momentum in the final, securing second place with a slightly adjusted time of 7.42 seconds.
The mile race saw Mara Longenecker and Emily Cescon take second and third, respectively. Longenecker clocked in at 4:56.31, while Cescon, with a personal best of 4:56.32, put on a strong showing.
Trinity Henderson triumphed in the 400-meter dash, completing her race in 55.68 seconds, securing the top spot.
In the shot put, Janey Campbell recorded a mark of 13.80 meters, landing her in fifth place, while Chiamaka Odenigbo followed closely with a distance of 11.72 meters.
Sophie Cloutier dominated the 3,000-meter run, finishing first with a time of 9:43.96. Jadyn Zdanavage also impressed, running a personal best of 9:46.75 to claim third.
Looking Ahead
The Wolverines will wrap up their regular season at the Alex Wilson Invitational on February 21 at the Loftus Sports Center in South Bend. It’s an exciting time for the team, with everyone eager to fine-tune their performances ahead of the championship season.
Recent Trends in Track and Field
The energy in women’s track and field is growing, with participation levels steadily increasing. According to a recent NCAA report, women’s track and field is one of the fastest-growing sports in colleges, and events like the Silverston Invitational reflect this trend. Social media is buzzing with highlights and personal achievements, encouraging more young athletes to enter the sport.
This boost in interest isn’t just about competition but also fitness and empowerment. Experts emphasize how track and field instills discipline and teamwork, which are invaluable life skills.
Check out more about the University of Michigan women’s track and field team and their journey at Michigan Athletics.
