ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – While four Lady Bisons were busy securing All-America honors on the indoor national stage in Virginia, the rest of the Harding women's track and field team continued their outdoor campaign Saturday at the Ouachita Baptist Invitational.
Competing in their second outdoor meet of the season, the Lady Bisons captured two event titles and swept the top three spots in the pole vault to highlight a productive afternoon at the Hickingbotham Track and Field facility.
Cheek, Dye Claim Individual Crowns
Junior Ally Cheek provided the standout performance in the field, winning the high jump with a clearance of 1.68m (5-06.00). Cheek was nearly perfect through her progression, clearing her first five heights on the first attempt before clinching the victory at 1.68m. The mark signals a strong start to the outdoor season for the veteran jumper.
In the pole vault, sophomore Eliza Dye led a dominant Harding contingent. Dye took first place with a mark of 3.50m (11-05.75). She was followed closely by senior Mariia Yashchenko and freshman Ariadna Flores-Isturiz, who both cleared 3.35m (10-11.75) to finish second and third, respectively. Yashchenko also added a sixth-place finish in the high jump (1.45m).
Depth in the Throws
The Lady Bisons showed significant depth in the throwing rings, led by junior Brylee Stewart. Stewart earned a runner-up finish in the discus with a toss of 40.74m (133-08). Harding's efficiency in the event was on full display as the team placed five throwers in the top 11, including freshman Krimson Fager (6th), sophomore Adelaide Goss (7th), junior Carley Hall (10th), and sophomore Kodi Belle DuBose (11th).
Goss also paced the Lady Bisons in the hammer throw, placing third with a mark of 36.46m (119-07). In the shot put, Hall earned a fourth-place finish with a best effort of 12.27m (40-03.25).
Track Highlights
Sophomore Ky Burrell handled the sprinting duties for Harding, winning her section of the 100-meter dash and finishing 11th overall in 13.22. She also secured a top-10 finish in the 200-meter dash, placing eighth with a time of 26.22.
The distance crew used the second meet of the year to sharpen their times. Senior Letlhogonolo Magoro led the way in the 1,500 meters, clocking a 5:02.50 to finish ninth. Sophomore Emily Driskill posted the fastest 800m time for Harding on the day, finishing 12th overall in 2:25.59.
Top Harding Finishers
Up Next
The Lady Bisons will reunite with their indoor national qualifiers next week as the full squad begins preparations for the Great American Conference schedule.
