Rickert Resets HPU Women’s Javelin Record at Liberty

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Freshman Christine Rickert won the javelin with a throw of 47.78 meters (156-9), resetting her own High Point University women’s track record as the Panthers were in action at the Liberty Collegiate Invitational on Friday and Saturday in Lynchburg, Va. Rickert’s throw ranks second in Big South history.

Rickert bested her old HPU record and career best of 45.22 meters (148-4) in the javelin on Friday, which she set at HPU’s VertKlasse Meeting on March 23. Her mark of 47.78 meters ranks second in the Big South record book, behind only UNC Asheville’s Cyrstal Goure, who set the record of 48.98 meters (160-8) in 2004. She also placed 17th in the discus on Saturday.

Junior Audrey Malloy was runner-up in the 1,500-meter in a time of 4:50.45. Freshman Katie Farina finished fourth in 4:51.72 and junior Colleen Hollowood and freshman Rebecca Baldinger placed seventh and 10th, respectively. In the 5,000-meter, junior Kayleigh Perry placed third in 18:24.17 and freshman Julia Zautcke placed sixth in 18:48.23. Sophomore Leah Anne Wirfel placed 10th and freshman Lindsey Siska placed 14th.

In the sprints, freshman Lilla Lorand was HPU’s top finisher, taking fourth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.15. Freshman Michelle Stolz placed ninth in the 400-meter hurdles and 13th in the 100-meter hurdles. Sophomore Emily Fischer placed fifth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.03 and freshman Emily De Lena took ninth in 200-meter and 10th in the 100-meter.

In the field events, freshman Erica Herrmann was HPU’s top finisher, placing third in the heigh jump with a height of 1.56 meters (5-1.25). Junior Kaitlin Whittington placed fifth in the triple jump with a distance of 11.09 meters (36-4.75) and freshman Alyssa Palenchar placed fifth in the pole vault with a height of 3.27 meters (10-08.75). Freshman Sara Katherine Kirkpatrick completed her first collegiate heptathlon, placing eighth with a score of 3,512.

High Point has one final tune-up before the Big South Championship, competing in the Aggie Invitational at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro next weekend. The Big South Championship is set for April 18-20 at Liberty.