Hunt Sets HPU Women’s Track 10K Record at Raleigh Relays

RALEIGH, N.C. — Senior Kelsey Hunt headlined the High Point University women’s track & field team’s performance in the Raleigh Relays on Friday and Saturday. Hunt set an HPU record of 36:00.70 in the 10,000-meter on Friday night.

“That was a great result for Kelsey,” said HPU head coach Mike Esposito. “She has been rock solid and she took advantage of beautiful conditions. She actually cramped up during part of the race, so she’s capable of going even faster.”

Hunt broke Zsanett Kis’s HPU record of 36:12.19 from the Raleigh Relays in 2009. She placed 18th overall. Sophomore Lauren Blackwell placed 26th in the 10,000-meter in a career-best time of 36:43.24.

Also in Friday’s track events, junior Audrey Malloy placed 12th in the top section of the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a season-best time of 11:11.90. Freshman Michelle Stolz won her heat and placed 95th overall in the 400-meter in a time of 1:00.35. On Saturday, Stolz won her heat and placed 32nd overall in the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 1:04.39.

The Panthers’ sprint medley relay team of Emily Fischer, Emily De Lena, Lilla Lorand and Colleen Hollowood placed 10th overall in a time of 4:10.81. HPU’s 4×1500-meter relay team of Katie Farina, Malloy, Julia Zautcke and Hollowood opened up Saturday’s action also placing 10th. The Panthers’ 4×100 relay of DeLena, Stolz, Kaitlin Whittington and Fischer placed 34th in a season-best 49.47.

“Audrey’s steeplechase was very encouraging as she continues to make progress after being injured,” said Esposito. “Michelle Stolz took a big step forward in the 400 hurdles today. Katie Farina ran a very good leg, around 4:45, in the 4×1500.”

High Point also sent competitors to the WSSU Invitational in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday. Next weekend, High Point competes in the Liberty Collegiate Invitational in Lynchburg, Va.