Foresters gain experience and post qualifying mark across busy weekend
Upland, Ind. / Indianapolis, Ind. / Allendale, Mich. – The Huntington University women's indoor track & field team competed at three meets over the weekend, sending athletes to the George Glass Invitational, Crossroads of America, and GVSU Bill Clinger Invitational. The Foresters recorded a pair of NAIA qualifying performances while continuing to build depth across sprints, distance, relays, and field events.
RESULTS
George Glass Invitational - hosted by Taylor University – Upland, Ind.
Huntington opened the weekend with a balanced showing across multiple event groups. In the sprints, sophomore Avery Mariol competed in both the 200 meters (29.46) and 60-meter hurdles (10.50).
The distance group was led by senior Amelia Strzechowski, who finished 10th in the 3000 meters (12:24.34), while junior Lily Spaulding followed closely in 13th (12:30.32). Sophomore Vada Valastek added a 15th-place finish in the mile (6:21.44), and freshman Lily Hegenberger doubled with the 800 meters (3:16.01) and mile (7:17.31).
In the field, the pole vault unit placed three athletes in the top 11, led by sophomore Emma Schiffli, who cleared 3.15m to finish fifth. Freshman Maya Gerber paced the throws with a ninth-place finish in the shot put (11.17m) and a 10th-place effort in the weight throw (13.55m).
Crossroads of America - Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion – Indianapolis, Ind.
The Foresters delivered their strongest performances of the weekend at Crossroads of America. Sophomore Olivia Howell posted two NAIA B qualifying marks, finishing second in the 600 meters (1:36.33) and fifth in the 800 meters (2:16.42).
Senior Shaylynn Reyes led the distance events with a 34th-place finish in the mile (5:24.02), while senior MacKenzie Brewer added a 37th-place effort (5:37.04). The pair later teamed with junior Trysta Hilton and Howell to place third in the distance medley relay (13:07.00).
In the field, sophomore Anna Jeannin placed third in the high jump, clearing 1.62m (5-3.75), while Hilton followed in sixth (1.55m). On the track, junior Addyson Dowler and freshman Saniya Brinkley represented Huntington in the short sprints and one-lap events.
GVSU Bill Clinger Invitational - hosted by Grand Valley State – Allendale, Mich.
Senior Molly Harding competed in the mile against a deep field at Grand Valley State, finishing in 5:22.04 at the Laker Turf Building.
FULL RESULTS
George Glass Invitational
200m
Avery Mariol (So) – 27th (29.46)
800m
Lily Hegenberger (Fr) – 10th (3:16.01)
Mile
Vada Valastek (So) – 15th (6:21.44)
Lily Hegenberger (Fr) – 18th (7:17.31)
3000m
Amelia Strzechowski (Sr) – 10th (12:24.34)
Lily Spaulding (Jr) – 13th (12:30.32)
60m Hurdles (Prelims)
Avery Mariol (So) – 13th (10.50)
Pole Vault
Emma Schiffli (So) – 5th (3.15m)
Elaina Moore (So) – 7th (3.00m)
Maeve Wilkinson (So) – 11th (2.85m)
Janai Haney (Sr) – 13th (2.40m)
Shot Put
Maya Gerber (Fr) – 9th (11.17m)
Elle Schweitzer (Fr) – 14th (10.51m)
Janai Haney (Sr) – 21st (8.51m)
Eliza Byrum (So) – 22nd (7.92m)
Weight Throw
Maya Gerber (Fr) – 10th (13.55m)
Elle Schweitzer (Fr) – 23rd (10.05m)
Eliza Byrum (So) – 27th (8.64m)
Crossroads of America
60m (Prelims)
Addyson Dowler (Jr) – 28th (7.93)
200m
Addyson Dowler (Jr) – 41st (26.44)
Saniya Brinkley (Fr) – 49th (26.87)
400m
Saniya Brinkley (Fr) – 35th (1:02.93)
600m
Olivia Howell (So) – 2nd (1:36.33, NAIA B)
800m
Olivia Howell (So) – 5th (2:16.42, NAIA B)
Mile
Shaylynn Reyes (Sr) – 34th (5:24.02)
Mackenzie Brewer (Sr) – 37th (5:37.04)
Distance Medley Relay
Huntington – 3rd (13:07.00)
High Jump
Anna Jeannin (So) – 3rd (1.62m)
Trysta Hilton (Jr) – 6th (1.55m)
GVSU Bill Clinger Invitational
Mile
Molly Harding (Sr) – 33rd (5:22.04)
LOOKING FORWARD
The Foresters will continue the indoor season at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan this weekend in the SVSU Jet's Pizza Invitational.
The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 181 NAIA All-America honors and 631 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. Huntington has a top quartile ranking in the 2026 U.S. News Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings.