INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. ?
For the second time this spring, Bradley junior Katie Nowak (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake H.S.) broke the outdoor school record in the 800 meters, turning in a time of 2:12.80 to win the 800, Saturday night, at the Stan Lyons Open hosted by Butler in Indianapolis, Ind.
Nowak's time of 2:12.80 was a shade quicker than her original record-breaking 800 time of 2:13.01 at the Duke Invitational on April 5. The Braves also fared well in the 1,500 meters, placing six runners in the top 15. Sophomore Marlana Haefelin (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich H.S.) led BU with a sixth place finish in 4:45.20. Freshman Mary Goldkamp (Florissant, Mo./McCluer North H.S.) was the first of four consecutive BU finishers, placing eight in 4:53.86. Next was sophomore Rachel Brubaker (Davis, Ill./Durand H.S.) in ninth at 4:55.35, freshman Lauren Fog (Harvard, Ill./Harvard H.S.) in tenth at 4:58.40, and sophomore Shannon Seyller (Harvard, Ill./Harvard H.S.) in 11th at 5:01.93. Sophomore Amanda Switzer (Manchesney Park, Ill./Harlem H.S.) finished 13th with a time of 5:10.53.
Junior Shelby Lile (Jefferson City, Mo./Jefferson City H.S.) also ran well for the Braves, finishing in the top half of the 5,000 meter run with an 11th place finish in a time of 18:42.44.
In sprint events, sophomore Erika Sepich (Canton, Ill./Canton H.S.) was the top BU performer in the 100 and 200 meter runs, placing 18th in the 100 in 12.99 seconds, and 25th in the 200 in 26.95 seconds.
Junior Trish Martens (Elgin, Ill./Burlington Central H.S.) cracked the top ten in the triple jump, placing seventh with a leap of 34 feet, nine inches. Sophomore Anne Bucalo (Fox River Grove, Ill./Cary-Grove H.S.) finished 11th out of 42 competitors in the discus, turning in a throw of 133 feet, four inches, her best effort of the season. Senior Kim Martin (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone H.S.) finished 11th in the shot put at 41 feet, 2.25 inches, and 17th in the hammer throw with a throw of 151 feet, nine inches.
"We had a great meet," head coach David Beauchem said. "We are progressing through all areas of the team. We had personal bests from every event area. This shows how hard we are working throughout the team. We are really looking forward to the MVC meet at SIU on May 16-18."
In all, the Braves recorded season-best performances in seven different events.
The Braves will return to Indianapolis on Saturday, May 3 for the Butler Twilight Invitational. Nowak will be racing at the Duke Twilight Invitational on Sunday, May 4 in the 1,500 meters.
