Saturday, April 22, 2006

Ashley Billstrom (Hales Corners, Wis./Whitnall H.S.) and Melanie Wilson (Saint Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain H.S.) set new school records Saturday as Valparaiso finished fifth in the Central Collegiate Championships in Ypsilanti, Mich.

The Crusaders tallied 66 points on their way to the fifth place finish. Eastern Michigan captured top team honors with 192 points.

Billstrom lowered her own school record in the 3,000m steeplechase, covering the course in 10:56.38. She won by 24 seconds on her way to the second-best time by a Mid-Con runner in the event this season.

Wilson and Amanda Body (Harlan, Ky./Harlan H.S.) both bettered Body's previous school record in the triple jump. Body finished fifth, leaping 37'4", but Wilson came out on top in the battle between the two, taking fourth place with a jump of 37'10 ¾".

Two Crusader athletes also improved upon second-best times in Valpo history Saturday. Patricia Kloth (Medford, Wis./Medford Area H.S.) surpassed her personal best in the 100m dash, crossing the line in 12.59 seconds, while Maggie Zellner (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy) covered the 400m hurdles course in 1:04.59.

Renae Swift (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) had an impressive showing in the 5,000m run. Swift finished the race in 18:13.65, earning runner-up honors.

Valparaiso will return to the track Friday, April 28, heading to Iowa to take part in the Drake Relays. The first event is scheduled for a 1:15 p.m. CDT start.