The Valparaiso University men's and women's track & field teams resumed competition for their first meet of the 2026 calendar year on Saturday. Junior Amelia Tisdale (Franklin, Ind. / Franklin Community) and sophomore Kensington Black (Franklin, Ohio / Franklin Senior) both had all-time top-5 times in their events.
 
How It Happened

• Tisdale finished the women's 1,000-meter run in 3:16.59, a time that ranks third in program history.
• Black posted a personal record in the 3,000 at 10:09.62, placing ninth in a 25-runner field. Her time represented the third fastest in program history and the program's top time in that event since 2007.
• The men's 3,000 was also highlighted by personal bests, as senior Alex Valerio (Rockford, Ill. / Boylan Catholic) and sophomore Tyler Swartz (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community) clocked in at 8:41.29 and 8:43.50, respectively, placing 17^th and 18^th.
• Sophomore sprinter Ferdinand Rosa (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico / American Military Academy) had strong showings in both the 200 and 400. His 200 PR of 22.97 was seventh of 12, while his 400 of 48.83 was fifth in an 18-runner field. His 400 was narrowly behind his PR in that event of 48.76, which already ranks second in the program record book.
• Elsewhere in the men's sprints, senior Tim Whitelaw (Park Ridge / Maine South) raced his way into the finals of the men's 60, qualifying with a season-best time of 7.01 seconds to cross fifth of 16 in the prelims. He needed 7.20 seconds in the finals, placing sixth.
• Junior Laetitia Raoult (Guingamp, France [Florida International]) had the team's season-best time in the women's mile at 5:10.73.
• In the women's high jump, sophomore Katelyn Jaster (Centennial, Colo. / Smoky Hill) was a top-5 finisher, placing fifth at 1.56 meters.

Up Next
The Beacons will head right back to South Bend to take part in Notre Dame's Meyo Invite next weekend on Jan. 30-31.