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Season Preview: 2025-26 Women’s Track and Field

Published

23 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Women’s Track and Field | 12/4/2025 10:16:00 AM

Granville, Ohio – The Big Red hope to continue their momentum coming off a strong season finishing fourth in the conference both indoor and outdoor.

2024-2025 Season Recap:

Indoor Season:

The Big Red delivered one of their strongest performances in recent years scoring in 14 of 18 events at the NCAC championships with multiple All-Conference honors showing depth across the board. An incredible highlight of the season was by Mariel Drost in the weight throw, making her Denison’s first ever NCAC champion in the event. Sydney Flores captured the title in the shot put with a career best 12.51m. Relay teams were a major strength on the team with the 4×200 team finishing second on the podium and having the second fastest time in program history while the distance medley relay finished runner up on day one of the championships. Scoring performances from athletes in sprints, hurdles, distances, jumps, and throws helped Denison earn top-three team finishes at invitationals throughout the winter, including the Bob Shannon Invitational. Senior Anaya Jolivette added to this with strong long jumping and sprint performance contributing to success at multiple meets allowing for a competitive team for the indoor season.

Outdoor Season:

Building off of their successful indoor run they continued that momentum into the outdoor season with balanced scoring across all events. Finishing fourth at the 2025 NCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 77.5 points and earning 12 top-ten finishes and six All-Conference honors on day two alone. Like indoor The Big Red’s throwing crew was dominant, as Mariel Drost captured the NCAC hammer throw championship (44.84m) and Sydney Flores earned All-NCAC finishes in both the shot put (second, 13.12m) and discus (second, 38.46m). Across the spring, Denison compiled event wins, personal bests, and multiple Athlete of the Week selections, including a fifth-career honor for Jolivette showing a well-rounded and complete roster. The outdoor season showcased a program with strength across all event groups and a rising core ready to push further in 2026.

Outdoor All-Americans and Academic Honors:

The women added to their remarkable season earning national recognition last season, as rising senior Sydney Flores was named a USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete after earning All-NCAC finishes in the shot put and discus and winning the indoor shot put title. Flores, along with teammates Ava Sinex and Lexi Verdell, were also selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team, highlighting the program’s strong academic and athletic success.

Returning All-NCAC

Sydney Flores – Indoor: Shot Put (1st) | Outdoor: Shot Put (2nd), Discus (2nd)

Piper Lee – Indoor: 4×200 relay (3rd) | Outdoor: 400 (3rd)

Emily Brennan – Outdoor: 400 Hurdles (2nd), 4×400 Relay (3rd) | Indoor: 4×200 relay (3rd)

Ava Sinex – Indoor: 4×200 Relay (3rd)

Jane McNamara – Indoor: Distance Medley Relay (2nd)

Evie Sparks – Indoor: Distance Medley Relay (2nd)

Fiona Martinelli – Indoor: Distance Medley Relay (2nd)

Mariel Drost – Indoor: Weight Throw (1st) | Outdoor: Hammer Throw (1st)

Libby Hornick – Outdoor: 4×400 Relay (3rd)

Bringing in the hardware: Denison returns nine All-NCAC performers from last season, four of which were all-conference performers in both indoor and outdoor. The experience will be beneficial in the team’s championship runs.

In the mix: Denison finished fourth in both the indoor and outdoor NCAC Championships this past season, and it is the second consecutive season the Big Red have placed fourth in the outdoor NCAC Championships. The team will look to build on that success with the experience competing on the biggest stage.

Fresh faces: The women’s track and field team brings in 12 first-year’s (four sprints, three mid-distance, three throws, two distance, one jumps). They will be guided by a senior class of six and 10 juniors to help jumpstart their Big Red career’s

A Look at the Schedule

The Big Red kick off their indoor season at Tiger Opener at Wittenberg University on Saturday, December 6 before taking a sizable month break to come back and compete at the Muskie Meet on January 17, 2026 at Muskingum University. Denison will host the Bob Shannon Invitational on Saturday, February 7, and then compete in three more meets before heading back to Wittenberg for a third time for the NCAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 27-28. The team will get a chance to compete once more in the indoor season at Ohio Northern for a Last Chance Meet to improve their chances of going to the NCAA Championships in Birmingham, Alabama on March 13-14.

In the outdoor season, Denison will host their annual Lid-Lifter meet on Saturday, March 28 to break into the spring weather. They then will be on the road, traveling to two NCAC foes in Ohio Wesleyan University and Kenyon College before hosting the Big Red Invitational and NCAC Combined Events on April 24-26. The NCAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held in Gambier, Ohio hosted by Kenyon College on May 1-2. There will be two Last Chance Meets at the end of the season before the NCAA Championships will commence in LaCrosse, Wisconsin from May 21-23.

Date	Location	Meet	Host
12/6/25	Springfield, Ohio	Tiger Opener	Wittenberg
1/17/26	New Concord, Ohio	Muskie Meet #1	Muskingum
1/24/26	Wooster, Ohio	Fighting Scots Invitational	Wooster
1/31/26	Springfield, Ohio	Steemer Showcase	Wittenberg
2/7/26	Granville, Ohio	Bob Shannon Invitational	Denison
2/14/26	Tiffin, Ohio	Robinson Family Open	Tiffin
2/21/26	Springfield, Ohio	Wittenberg Invite	Wittenberg
2/21-22/26	Wooster, Ohio	NCAC Combined Events	Wooster
2/27-28/26	Springfield, Ohio	NCAC Indoor Championships	Wittenberg
3/6-7/26	Ada, Ohio	Last Chance Meet	Ohio Northern
3/13-14/26	Birmingham, Ala.	NCAA Indoor Championships	Southern Athletic Association
3/28/26	Granville, Ohio	Lid-Lifter	Denison
4/4/26	Delaware, Ohio	Marv Frye Invitational	Ohio Wesleyan
4/10-11/26	Cleveland, Tenn.	Fast Break Athletics Invitational	Lee University
4/18/26	Gambier, Ohio	Duane Gomez Invitational	Kenyon
4/24/26	Granville, Ohio	Big Red Invitational	Denison
4/25-26/26	Granville, Ohio	NCAC Combined Events	Denison
5/1-2/26	Gambier, Ohio	NCAC Outdoor Championships	Kenyon
5/7-8/26	Berea, Ohio	Last Chance Meet	Baldwin Wallace
5/13-14/26	Alliance, Ohio	Last Chance Meet	Mount Union
5/21-23/26	LaCrosse, Wis.	NCAA Outdoor Championships	Wisconsin-La Crosse

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Tennessee volleyball vs Utah State, Lady Vols upset in first round

Published

7 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 4, 2025, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tennessee volleyball chose a bad time to play its worst volleyball of the season.

The No. 7 seed Lady Vols were on their heels in the beginning of the match against Utah State, and they didn’t have enough to complete the reverse-sweep. Tennessee (20-8) fell 3-2 to the Aggies (24-7) in a shocking upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on Dec. 4.

The Lady Vols won two straight sets to make it a five-set thriller, and they battled from behind the entire fifth set, which they ultimately lost 15-11. In the end, it wasn’t enough to recover from their poor start.

By the time Tennessee started playing like its season was on the line, it was staring down a reverse sweep to advance. But against a red-hot Utah State team, which entered the tournament on a 21-game winning streak, the late push wasn’t enough.

In the first two sets, the Aggies picked apart the Lady Vols defense at the net and on the floor – it was a clinical dismantling by Utah State, which made all the scrappy, game-winning plays of a team that swept the Mountain West championships.

The Lady Vols made a fierce comeback attempt, turning the tide with sharper, more aggressive serving in the third and fourth sets to force a five-set thriller. They found their footing on defense, and they got a spark from Sydney Jones to launch and more balanced attack.

Outside hitter Starr Williams was a bright spot in the offense, especially while Tennessee looks all out of sorts the first two sets. She continued to be a focal point all match, and she logged 15 kills with a .387 hitting percentage, along with seven digs and four blocks.

Jones was a difference-maker as a reserve, and she continued to score points for the Lady Vols when they needed them. Jones ended the night with 12 kills, and Hayden Kubik also added 12 kills.

The Lady Vols’ offense hit just .228 as a team, while they allowed Utah State to hit .312. They struggled to slow down the Aggies’ attack between Tierney Barlow, who ended the match with 16 kills, and Loryn Helgesen and Andrea Simovski, who both had 14 kills.

Tennessee middle blocker Zoe Humphrey did not travel with the team, according to the ESPN broadcast.

Watch Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State

Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State: Live score updates

When does Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State start?

Date: Thursday, Dec. 4
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona.

What TV channel is Tennessee vs. Utah State on today?

Tennessee volleyball schedule 2025

Last 10 games

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2025 DI women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores

Published

23 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The DI women’s volleyball championship is here. The tournament continues Friday, Dec. 5 with both first and second round matches and lasts until the national championship on Sunday, Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The full 64-team bracket was announced on Sunday, Nov. 30. Thirty-one conference champions earned automatic bids to the tournament, with the NCAA DI women’s volleyball committee selecting 33 other teams as at-large picks.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 women’s volleyball championship.

2025 DI women’s volleyball championship bracket

👉 Click or tap to see the interactive bracket

2025 DI women’s volleyball championship schedule

All times listed in ET

First round: Dec. 4-5
Second round: Dec. 5-6
Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
National championship: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 | ABC

Selection show: 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30
First round:
- Thursday, Dec. 4
  - No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0
  - No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2
  - No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2
  - No. 5 Miami (Fla.) 3, Tulsa 1
  - No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0
  - No. 6 UNI 3, Utah 2
  - North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1
  - Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2
  - No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0
  - No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0
  - No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0
  - Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2
  - No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2
  - No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0
  - No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0
  - No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0

DI women’s volleyball championship history

Here is the complete history of DI women’s volleyball champions:

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Track & Field Opening Indoor Season with Split-Squad Weekend – Penn State

Published

48 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State track & field is set to begin its indoor slate with a three-meet split-squad weekend. The Nittany Lions will start their week in Philadelphia on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Penn Opener, also competing on Saturday, Dec. 6. On Saturday, there will also be Nittany Lions competing at the Bucknell Opener in Lewisburg, and the Sharon-Colyear Danville Season Opener in Boston on Saturday. Dec. 6.

Penn State is set to begin the 2025-26 indoor season while continuing to build off its success from a season ago. The men’s squad finished 12^th in the Big Ten last indoor season while the women finished seventh. The squad returns six All-Americans from last year’s indoor team including 2024 First Team All-Americans Handal Roban and Hayley Kitching.

Head Coach John Gondak enters his 12^th season leading the Nittany Lion track & field program. His coaching resume includes 62 First Team All-Americans and 11 Big Ten team titles.

PENN OPENER – Friday-Saturday, December 5-6

Live Results | Watch on Saturday (ESPN+)

Penn State will send seven athletes to compete at the Penn Opener. Maddie Pitts will be the lone competitor on Friday in the pentathlon.

BUCKNELL OPENER – Saturday, December 6

Live Results

The largest group of Nittany Lions will be headed to Lewisburg to compete in the Bucknell Opener. 36 athletes in field events and sprints will be the main competition group for PSU this weekend at Bucknell.

SHARON COLYEAR-DANVILLE SEASON OPENER – Saturday, December 6

Live Results | Watch (FloTrack)

Penn State will be sending 10 athletes to Boston for season opening action. The middle distance/distance group will make up the group competing against some of the top talent in the nation.

FULL 2025-26 INDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE

Dec. 5-6 – Penn Opener | Philadelphia, Pa.

Dec. 6 – Bucknell Opener | Lewisburg, Pa.

Dec. 6 – Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener | Boston, Mass.

Jan. 17 – Nittany Lion Challenge | University Park, Pa.

Jan. 24 – Penn 10 Team Elite | Philadelphia, Pa.

Jan. 30-31 – Penn State National Open | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 7 – Sykes & Sabock Challenge | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 13-14 – Tyson Invitational | Fayetteville, Ark.

Feb. 13-14 – David Hemery Valentine Invitational | Boston, Mass.

Feb. 20 – Penn State Tune-Up | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 27-28 – Big Ten Indoor Championships | Indianapolis, Ind.

Mar. 13-14 – NCAA Indoor Championships | Fayetteville, Ark.

FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS

Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc). Live updates on race day regarding start times and other important notes will be posted on X.

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Women’s Volleyball vs University of Alaska Anchorage on 12/4/2025 – Box Score

Published

55 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena; Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

0-1

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.

UAA

1-1

[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Henderson, Cynphany).

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.

UAF

2-1

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

3-1

[Flynn, Kellan] Attack error by Ivakina, Lee (block by Engelauf, Presley; Guc, Elena).

UAF

3-2

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Burney, Bella (from Malikova, Johana).

—

UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

UAA

4-2

[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

5-2

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Byrne, Trinity).

UAF

6-2

[Onaga, Tessa] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Galloway, Madison).

UAF

6-3

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

6-4

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAA

7-4

[Ivakina, Lee] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany), block error by Burney, Bella.

—

UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

8-4

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

8-5

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

9-5

[Galloway, Madison] Service error.

UAF

9-6

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Riba, Martina (from Trotter, Hannah), block error by Henderson, Cynphany.

UAA

10-6

[Malikova, Johana] Attack error by Riba, Martina (block by Hoshock, Peri).

UAF

11-6

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

12-6

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

12-7

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Malikova, Johana).

UAA

12-8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

13-8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Riba, Martina.

UAF

14-8

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Beck, Emma (from Galloway, Madison).

UAF

15-8

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

15-9

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Malikova, Johana).

UAA

16-9

[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

16-10

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Engelauf, Presley).

UAA

17-10

[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

17-11

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

17-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Hoshock, Peri (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAA

18-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.

UAF

18-13

[Smith, Ainsley] Attack error by Lyons, Haylee (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

19-13

[Galloway, Madison] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

20-13

[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAF

21-13

[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAF

21-14

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

—

UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.

UAA

21-15

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

21-16

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

21-17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

22-17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

23-17

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Lyons, Haylee).

UAF

24-17

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

24-18

[Hoshock, Peri] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Hoshock, Peri).

UAA

25-18

[Allen, Tia] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

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#11 Creighton Volleyball Outlasts Northern Colorado to Advance to Second Round of NCAA Tournament

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Courtesy of Rob Anderson, Creighton Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. — No. 11 Creighton Volleyball was pushed to the brink but survived to win its 21st straight match on Thursday evening, opening up NCAA Tournament play with a 3-2 victory over Northern Colorado. Scores of the Bluejay triumph were 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8.

Creighton earns itself a Second Round match-up against Northern Iowa (26-5) after the sixth-seeded Panthers finished off their first reverse sweep in the NCAA Tournament since 2022 with a 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10 win over Utah. Creighton defeated the Panthers at D.J. Sokol Arena on Sept. 14 to close out play at the Bluejay Invitational.

Five women had multiple kills in the first set as Creighton powered past Northern Colorado, led by six kills from Ava Martin. Martin also had a pair of aces late in the set to solidify CU’s 25-12 victory. The Jays hit .438 and had 17 kills to UNC’s six kills on .000 hitting and never trailed in the frame.

UNC snapped Creighton’s 17-set win streak with a 25-23 victory in the second set, which featured nine ties and five lead changes. Isabel Bennett had go-ahead kills to make it 23-22 and 24-23 and Alayna Tessena put down the winner on set point. Northern Colorado had 15 kills and 18 digs in the second set and held the Bluejays to 11 kills and .200 hitting. Martin had seven kills for CU in the second set, while Sydney Breissinger added six digs.

The Bears won the first three points of the third set and moved in front 8-4 to force an early timeout from CU head coach Brian Rosen. The stoppage did little to improve the fortunes for the hosts, who called another timeout six points later after falling behind 12-6 to the Big Sky Tournament champions. The second timeout did the trick, as the Bluejays countered with an 8-2 burst to even the score at 14-all. Northern Colorado settled down, never surrendering the lead, and led 23-20 before one last push from the hosts. Martin pounded her 18th kill of the night, and Nora Wurtz followed with her 56th ace of the fall to cut CU’s deficit to 23-22 and lead UNC coach Lydnsey Oates to call timeout. Martin slammed a cross-court kill to tie the score at 23-all, but UNC answered with a Zoe Gibbs kill for a set point opportunity. The Bears won the set on a Bluejay attack error, 25-23.

The Bluejays got off to a 6-2 lead in the fourth set thanks in part to three early UNC hitting errors, then extended the advantage to 14-6. The Jays won the set 25-17, with freshman Abbey Hayes stepping up with a team-best four kills. CU had 4.5 blocks in the set, including one of set point from Reinhardt and Martin.

Creighton got off to a quick start in the fifth frame, scoring the first three points on two Martin kills and a UNC attack error. CU led 8-3 at the changeover

Martin was dominant with 30 kills on 65 swings, while Jaya Johnson finished with 12 kills. Reinhardt rounded out the Bluejays in double figure kills with 10. Annalea Maeder closed the match with a double-double, delivering 53 assists and 20 digs.

Tessena led Northern Colorado with 14 kills, while Brynn Reines finished with 11 kills

First serve of tomorrow’s Second Round match is at 6:30 p.m.

NOTES: Creighton improved to 18-14 all-time in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 12-3 mark in the First Round … Creighton has won 21 straight matches, its third-longest streak in program history … Creighton is now 8-4 in home matches in the NCAA Tournament, including five straight victories … Creighton has won its last 11 home matches this fall … Creighton is now 4-1 all-time against Northern Colorado … Creighton has won 68 straight matches over unranked foes and 56 non-televised matches in a row … Ava Martinmoved into third place in CU history in career service aces with 126 … Ava Martinhad her 25th straight match with 10 or more kills and 108th in a row with five or more kills … Ava Martin had her 13th career match with 20+ kills, and seventh this season.

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Throwers Set Personal Bests At Liberty Kickoff

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LYNCHBURG – Propelled by a pair of personal-best performances in the weight throw, the Elon University women’s track and field team opened its indoor season Thursday at the Liberty Kickoff inside the Liberty Indoor Complex.

In the women’s weight throw, the Phoenix placed two athletes inside the top four. Adriana Clarke claimed runner-up honors with a personal-best toss of 18.14m, moving into third on Elon’s all-time performance list. Isabella Johnson finished third overall at 17.33m, also marking a new PR for the sophomore.

Elon also featured three competitors in the pentathlon. Senior Lizzie Lopez was the top Phoenix finisher, placing seventh with 3,510 points. She highlighted the event by tying for first in the high jump with a clearance of 1.65m. Freshman Greta Urbonaviciute debuted with a tenth-place finish and 3,309 points, landing inside the program’s top-10 performance list. Classmate Carolina Frada scored 2,832 points to place 11th in her first collegiate pentathlon.

ON DECK
Elon continues action at the Liberty Kickoff on Friday, beginning with the women’s 5,000-meter run at 10 a.m.