Courtney Oldenburg
The Northern Illinois track and field team took third place Saturday in the nine-team field at the Illini Classic.
On the day, the Huskies scored points in all but two events, defeating SIU-Edwardsville, Southeast Missouri State, Lincoln (Mo.), Murray State, Tennessee State and Bradley.
Illinois took first place and Missouri was in second place.
“The ladies competed with determination and conviction today,” said Huskie head coach Connie Teaberry. “They went up against some tough competition and welcomed the challenge. We’re excited about what the season will hold.”
Though no one captured an event title at the meet, NIU did take 13 top-five finishes inside the UI Armory. Two of the best performances on the day came from Courtney Oldenburg and Jenner Sio, who each took second place in their respective events.
Oldenburg, a native of West Berlin, Wis., set a new personal record in the mile with a time of 4:59.71. Meanwhile, Sio hit a distance of 38-06.25 in the triple jump, marking her best mark of the 2011-12 indoor season.
A trio of NIU athletes and the 4×400 relay team placed third in their events. Megan Gregory claimed third place in the 60 hurdles with an 8.64 clip in the finals, which was only four-hundredths of a second off of the record pace set by Gregory in 2010.
The Cronin sisters grabbed the other two bronze finishes on the day. Rebecca was third in the 800 meters with a time of 2:16.81 and Julianne was the bronze finisher in the 600 meters, crossing the finish line at 1:38.71.
The relay team, which was composed of Chanel Kellyman, Julianne Cronin, Jenelle McCalla and Rasheta Butler, placed third with a 3:53.53 clip, helping the Huskies secure third place as a team on the day.
Janay Mitchell brought home two top five finishes, doing so in the 60 meters and 200 meters. Meanwhile, Roneisha Frye (60 hurdles) and McCalla (600 meters) each took home fourth place finishes in their respective events.
Rounding out the top five finishers were Kellyman (60 meters), Claire McAuley (3000 meters) and Sidra Sherrill (shot put). Butler (200 meters and 400 meters) Katie Janssen, Kelly Moser and Taylor Jenkins also scored points individually for NIU.
The Huskies return to action next Saturday, Jan. 28, when they head to Marion, Ind., for the IWU Invitational. Competition begins at 11 a.m. ET.
For more information on NIU track and field, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
