Saturday, January 22, 2005

Led by eight individual victories in 16 total events, Valparaiso ran away with the Chicago Invitational title on Saturday afternoon by 92 points over runner-up Saint Joseph's (Ind.).

Melanie Wilson (Saint Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain H.S.) set her fourth school record of the season in the 200m dash winning with a time of 25.85 seconds. The freshman also improved her school record in winning the long jump with a leap of 5.52m. She finished her trio of wins with a leap of 11.35m in the triple jump.

Holly Hagen (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.) also posted a pair of wins on the day in the throwing events. She won the shot put with a toss of 12.32m, and also posted a win in the weight throw with a heave of 15.25m.

Patricia Kloth (Medford, Wis./Washburn H.S.) notched a .01 second victory in the 55m dash with a time of 7.67 seconds.

Valpo also won a pair of middle distance events. Danielle Nunnelly (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) took home first place in the mile with a time of 5:14.62, while Rachel Nelson (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit H.S.) was the victor in the 800m run with a mark of 2:24.91.

Valpo will return to action next Saturday as the Crusaders head to Bloomington, Ill. for the Redbird Invitational. Events begin at 11:30 a.m.