Women's Track & Field Sees Strong Open to OAC Outdoor Championships

5/4/2023 11:19:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Kelsey Dunn won her third straight OAC crown in the discus.

ALLIANCE, Ohio -- Three victories categorized a nice start to the 2023 Ohio Athletic Conference Championships for John Carroll Women's Track & Field.

On Day 1, the Blue Streaks tallied several strong finishes and hint at success on Day 2 with a number of sprinters qualifying for finals.

After the opening day, the Blue Streaks stand in third place with 60 points, behind Ohio Northern (70) and Mount Union (64).

The Blue Streaks dominated the distance side of the coin on Thursday.

To begin with the Steeplechase, the Blue Streaks earned four of the top eight spots. Jen Massucci guided the pack, crossing the line at 11:32.50 for second. In just her second time racing in the event, Sydney Jenko scored for JCU with a third-place time of 11:35.12. Sydney Wingler tracked down fifth in 11:39.00 and Katy Fellenstein closed things out in sixth at 11:49.53.

In the 10,000m, Erica Esper successfully defended her crown after President Al Miciak predicted the repeat (following Esper's introduction for JCU's new athletic director, Brian Polian '97). Esper fought off several challengers in a race that took place while the sun peeked out of the clouds. The senior starred down the stretch, holding onto the 10k title with a time of 36:47.43. In doing so, Esper provided 10 great points for JCU. Sarah Weldon also scored with an eighth-place time of 39:53.46.

Kelsey Dunn stood as an OAC Champion in the discus for an incredible third straight time. As usual, the grad student heated up when the moment was biggest, heaving a toss of 44.68m. That length stands as a season high, as well as 13th in NCAA Division III. What Dunn has done during her JCU career is nothing short of spectacular, especially considering the longevity of defending the title now twice.

The 4x800 relay did not win to end the day, but provided a thrilling result nonetheless.

Just like the men's race, the women's 4x800 proved to be a two-team duel between JCU and Mount Union. Claire Eberhardt, Morgan Dobos, Abby Schroff, and Ellie Kitsmiller repped JCU. While Mount Union won the race, the Blue Streaks did not lose while recording a time of 9:15.70. While not the top time, it did topple the nearly decade-long standing JCU and OAC record set by Haley Turner, Becky Rohwer, Gab Kreuz, and Nicki Bohrer.

JCU's quartet didn't just score 8 points, but also ascended into the national conversation. The Blue Streaks now rank fifth in NCAA Division III, so this likely isn't the last you've seen of this quartet.

Earlier in the day, Genevieve Arnold just missed out on All-OAC honors in the long jump, hitting fourth place. The veteran registered a mark of 5.54m in the second flight. Leah Fritsch scored 1 point in the javelin throw, hitting 30.25m for eighth place.

In the sprints, Genevieve Arnold solidified a spot in the 100m hurdle finals tomorrow. The Orchard Park, NY native tabbed a season best time of 15.60, just short of a PR. The junior finished second in her heat and third overall to give herself a chance to race tomorrow.

Arnold also nabbed a time of 12.33 in the 100m to clinch a spot in the finals, setting a PR in the process. Taylor Anthony punched her ticket by virtue of winning her heat with a time of 12.45. Arnold and Anthony will also take part in the 200m finals after winning their heats. Arnold clocked in at 25.58 while Anthony crossed the line in 26.03.

Rosie Murray put her stamp on the day in her first OAC Outdoor Championships by winning the prelims in the 400m hurdles. Her season-best time of 1:05.48 did the job perfectly. She'll go for the crown on Friday.

Day 2 of the OAC Championships start at 11 am on Friday.

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