The Valparaiso women’s track and field team geared up for the Horizon League Indoor Championships with their final regular season tune-up at the Orange and Blue Open at the University of Illinois. The Crusaders finished in a tie for fourth with 27 points.

Freshman Laura Lacquement (Martensdale, Iowa/Martensdale Saint Mary's) took seventh in the 200 meter dash with her new personal best 27.79. She also ran a new personal best 8.42 in the 60m. Junior Heather Mende (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) also ran a personal best in the 60m with a 8.33.

In the 400m, senior Kelli Wosick (Mount Prospect, Ill./Saint Viator) and freshman Hannah Reynard (Jackson, Mich./Napeolon) finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively. Wosick just edged out Reynard by .63 as they crossed the line in 1:00.12, a season best for Wosick, and 1:00.75.

Senior Jazmin Taylor (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) took fourth in the high jump as she soared 1.60m/5-3.

Junior Ann Chapman (Washington, Ill./Washington Community) finished third in the triple jump with her mark of 10.22m/33-6.5 and ninth in the long jump with her leap of 4.80m/15-9.

Junior Megan Howdeshell (Bourbon, Ind./Triton Junior-Senior) threw a 15.88m/52-1.25 toss on her final attempt in the weight throw to take third place.

Valpo return to the track next Saturday, Feb. 28, for the Horizon League Indoor Championships at Youngstown State. Action begins at 8:00 am Central Time at the Watson and Tressel Training Site. Live results will be available through ValpoAthletics.com.