HPU Women Have Two Winners in VertKlasse Meeting

High Point, N.C. — The High Point University women’s track & field team had two individual winners as it hosted the HPU VertKlasse Meeting on Saturday at Vert Stadium. Freshman Christine Rickert set a new HPU record in the javelin and Kaitlin Whittington won the triple jump.

“The two winners – Christine and Kaitlin – were the obvious highlights,” said HPU head coach Mike Esposito. “She’s only a freshman but Christine has make a huge jump already. She was a good athlete with a good athlete in high school and now we’re seeing it in the javelin already. She can be a bigtime thrower. It was good to see Kaitlin get a win at home. Everything indicates that she’s ready to perform well and is on the upswing.”

“A lot of people came together to make this a great meet today,” Esposito added. “The officials, volunteers and athletic department staff were really on point. We think this is one of the most entertaining and fun meets in the country and today was another example of that.”

Rickert threw the javelin 45.22 meters (148-4) for the win, breaking her own HPU record of 43.90 meters from her outdoor debut last week. The previous record was 42.48 meters (139-4) set by Amber Donnelly in 2009. Freshman Zoey Miller took ninth in the javelin with a throw of 32.25 meters (105-10).

Whittington jumped 11.66 meters (38-3.25) for the win in the triple jump. She also ran on HPU’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays. Freshman Alyssa Palenchar took 10th in the pole vault (3.42 meters/11-2.5) and freshman Erica Herrmann placed 10th in the high jump (1.52 meters/4-11.75).

On the track, junior Colleen Hollowood was HPU’s top finisher in the performance sections. She placed sixth in the 800-meter with a time of 2:17.49 and freshman Katie Farina was right behind in 2:17.84.

“Colleen went out a little aggressive but that’s OK for a meet like this,” said Esposito. “Katie Farina continues to improve.”

Lilla Lorand placed eighth in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:04.92 and sophomore Emily Fischer took ninth in the 400-meter in 58.96. Junior Kayleigh Perry took ninth in the 5,000-meter in 18:29.47 and freshman Julia Zautcke placed 10th in 18:31.84. Sophomore Leah Anne Wirfel placed 13th in the 5,000 in her first track meet of the year.

In the participation sections, freshman Michelle Stolz placed sixth in the 100-meter hurdles in 16.23 and freshman Stephanie Quinn took 11th in 17.40. Senior Kelsey Hunt placed 10th in the 1,500-meter in 4:54.60 and sophomore Lauren Blackwell came in 13th in 5:00.56.

Up next for the Panthers, HPU travels to NC State to compete in the Raleigh Relays next Friday and Saturday. High Point will also be competing in the WSSU Collegiate Invitational in Winston-Salem next weekend.