In its first scoring meet of the season on Saturday, the Simmons-Harvey Invitational, the Michigan women’s track and field team welcomed competitors from both Michigan State and Purdue. And with the help of a few new records, the Wolverines took home a victory in dominant fashion — scoring 126 points to the Spartans’ 109 and the Boilermakers’ 49.
Graduate Aasia Laurencin started off the meet hot. She ran the 60-meter prelims in just 7.48 seconds, shaving off 0.05 seconds from her personal record she set a week ago at the Wolverine Invitational. And shortly thereafter in the 60-meter finals, Laurencin ran 7.48 again, just barely beating out Michigan State’s Amani Nuels by 0.01 seconds for first place.
But Laurencin didn’t stop there. Warmed up from the previous races, Laurencin took to the line again for the 60-meter hurdles, looking to earn another win. And this time there wasn’t a photo finish, with Laurencin running a 8.30 race and convincingly taking first by 0.26 seconds.
“I think our women’s sprints group has been really strong the last few years,” Michigan coach Kevin Sullivan said. “We’re continuing to grow there. Every year we graduate out some people and it seems like we kind of just reload.”
The Wolverines continued to showcase their dominance in the sprints, taking first place in both the 200- and 400-meter dashes. Senior Savannah Sutherlands and freshman Payton Smith both set meet records, with Sutherlands running a 23.49 in the 200 and Smith running a 54.40 in the 400.
“I think the last few years (assistant coach Steven Rajewsky) has done a great job building up the program and instilling confidence in these girls,” Sutherlands said. “So that we can go and not only perform well, but perform with confidence and fearlessness.”
In the mid-distance races, Michigan continued to add to its point total, albeit without as many records falling. In the 600, 800 and mile races, the Wolverines failed to break into first but they earned 26 team points in these events with a smattering of second, third and fourth place finishes.
However, Michigan continued with its dominance in the 3000. Graduate Mary Caroline Heinen willed her way to a personal record 9:31.27, and in doing so, took first place. And in the last event of the day, the 4×400 relay, the Wolverines yet again utilized their best sprinters to find their way to a win. With strong performances from freshman Sidney Green, sophomore Amare Harlan and Smith, alongside a chase-down on the last leg from Sutherlands, the group not only won, but set both the facility and meet records with a time of 3:35.46 seconds.
On the other side of the track, Michigan dominated as well. Sophomore Elizabeth Tapper showcased her potential yet again by breaking the shot put school record she set only a week ago by 0.13 meters, throwing 16.99 meters.
And in the jumps, the Wolverines swept again. Graduate Chiamaka Odenigbo took first in high jumps after jumping 1.65 meters, and Harlan placed first in long jumps with a 5.90 meter jump.
After setting personal bests and breaking records at the Wolverine Invitational, Michigan came into its first scoring meet with high expectations. And with dominant performances from the entire team, it’s safe to say the Wolverines met them.
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