Results 

Emilie Marsicek (Spalding, Mich./Carney-Nadeau) smashed Valparaiso’s program record in the shot put, leading the Crusaders as they competed at the Redbird Open in Normal, Ill. for their first meet of the season.

Marsicek posted a top mark of 46’4” in the shot put, good for second place and tops among all collegiate athletes in the event.  The distance was nearly three feet further than her previous personal best, and destroyed the prior Crusader record by 2’6”.

Amanda Body (Harlan, Ky./Harlan) stood out for the Crusaders in multiple events.  Body led Valpo in both jumps, placing third in the long jump with a leap of 16’9 ¾” and fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 34’9”, and then took to the track as well, coming home in sixth place in the 60m dash with a finals time of 7.99 seconds.  The junior qualified for the finals in the event with a preliminary time of 7.96 seconds.

Ini Umana (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) also posted a top-ten finish in one of the throwing events for the Crusaders.  The sophomore registered a ninth-place effort in the weight throw, tossing the 20-lb. apparatus 43’7 ¾”.

Valparaiso will not return to the track for six weeks.  The Crusaders will next compete on Saturday, January 19 at the Phoenix Invitational in Chicago, Ill.