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Record-breakers: Track, field opens weekend with new 1,500 standard, four personal bests

April 20, 2012
Claire McAuley

Claire McAuley

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Northern Illinois track & field team got their weekend off on the right foot Thursday, as four Huskies set personal bests at the Kansas Relays.

“The ladies that competed this evening gave great efforts,” said Huskie head coach Connie Teaberry. “Four ladies had personal best performances and didn’t lose their focus.”

Freshmen Jamie Burr and Julianne Cronin began the evening for NIU on a high note with two PRs in the unseeded 800 meters.

Burr crossed the finish line with a 2:15.20 clip to finish in eighth place, while also giving her the second-fastest time in the event on the NIU roster. Not far behind was Cronin, who ran a time of 2:20.06 to finish 32nd in the 61-athlete field.

Less than two hours later, Claire McAuley and Katie Janssen ran career-best marks in the 5000 meters. McAuley finished with a 18:59.68 clip to best her previous record by just under four seconds, while Janssen shaved 10 seconds off her PR with a 19:09.03 run.

Oldenburg Shatters NIU’s 1500 Meters Record

Courtney Oldenburg

Courtney Oldenburg

WALNUT, Calif. — Junior Courtney Oldenburg posted arguably the best performance of her career Thursday afternoon at the Mt. SAC Relays, setting a school record in the 1500 meters.

Running in near-ideal conditions in southern California, Oldenburg finished the race with a time of 4:27.64 to finish 44th in a field of 124 of the nation’s top mid-distance runners.

“Courtney ran conservative early on in the race and, with 500 meters to go, she unleashed a monster kick,” said NIU assistant coach Greg Hipp. “This was a great performance for her and sets her up well in the MAC and for qualifying for the NCAA Preliminary Round.”

The junior from West Salem, Wis. topped the previous mark – which she set in 2010 – by over two seconds. In addition, the run gives her the second-fastest time in the Mid-American Conference and the 44th-best mark in the West Region.

The Huskies return to action today with several prelims in the sprints and relays.

For more information on NIU track and field and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.