HOLLAND, Mich. – Jessica Johnson and Jordan Revenaugh scored runner-up finishes in their respective events Thursday, helping Albion College gain the early lead in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Track & Field Championship.
With four events scored, Albion has racked up 32 points to hold a slim two-point margin over Calvin College. Hope College is third with 26 points and Trine University and Olivet College gained 21 points apiece on Thursday.
Revenaugh improved her collegiate best time in the 10,000 meters by nearly four minutes in finishing second to Calvin's Michelle Koetje. Revenaugh completed her race in 37:55.78, 22 seconds off the pace set by Koetje.
Leahe Sinnaeve also scored for Albion, finishing fifth.
Johnson sent the shot put 40' ½" to gain the silver medal, while ShaQuoria Thompson finished sixth.
Albion also had two scorers in the long jump with Kimberly Barber finishing fifth and Alexis McGinley taking sixth.
The final points on Thursday came from Anna Albaugh who finished seventh in the hammer throw.
McGinley will have more opportunities to score as she leads the sprinters in Friday events. She set the top qualifying times in the 100 (12.62) and 200 (26.11).
McGinley will be tested by teammate Layla Wilks, who will defend her MIAA championships in both sprinting events. Wilks qualified second, setting times of 12.78 in the 100 and 26.29 in the 200.
Albion should reap an impressive load of points in the 200 with Chalara Sutton and Emilee Kinney also qualifying. Kinney will also be in the field for the final in the 100.
Albion also qualified three runners for the final in the 400. Lauren McDowell won her heat to qualify third (1:02.85). Cianna Brown ran in a faster heat (1:00.14), but is listed fourth on the qualifying list, and Allison Butler reached the final with a preliminary time of 1:02.29.
Hannah Almhiemid will be Albion's scoring chance in the hurdles events.
Twitter: @AlbionXCTF
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu.