Women's Track Captures 4 Victories at PSACs

On a day that many of Edinboro’s track and field athletes had been long anticipating, three girls came away victorious in their events at this year’s PSAC Championships, held at the Mike S. Zafirovski Sports and Recreation Dome.

A two day event beginning on Saturday was highlighted by a stellar race from Edinboro’s own Ida Narbuvoll in the 5,000-meter run. She would finish with a time of 16:48.62, putting herself in position to end up in Pittsburg, Kansas for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Later this week, Narbuvoll will find out if her provisional qualifying time and 11th place ranking amongst the nation will hold up.

Narbuvoll spoke about the invigoration she felt hearing the cheers from the crowd.

“I think the fact that we raced at home with so many Edinboro people cheering helped me run a good race. I got a little bit of energy from every cheer along the way.”

With limited competition during the race, Narbuvoll found motivation wherever she could.

“I don’t mind racing on my own. Some of my best races have been just between the clock and me, so I knew I could come through with a good mark even if I had to race on my own.”

Finishing the 5K 21 seconds ahead of the next runner, she continued her freshman season with aspirations to go to a second national meet in just as many racing seasons. Narbuvoll looks forward to the chance to race against the best of the best.

“In a national race, you’ve got so many other runners to push you at all parts of the race,” Narbuvoll said.

Also competing in the 5,000 meter run on Saturday, and all placing within the top ten, were Kasey Jones finishing fifth in 17:28.93, Anna Hösl in seventh with a time of 17:42.67, and Emma Sullivan, who finished in ninth with a time of 17:49.54.

Jones would hit the track once again at the end of the day to join Bekkah Bond, Abbey Lang and Abbey Peters in the 4x800 meter relay. They would finish second overall with a time of 9:31.98.

Once again for the distance medley relay, Peters, Lang and Bond would join sprinter Terionna Ware to finish fourth in the PSAC in a total time of 13:31.71.

The following day, Edinboro’s success would continue, garnering three more first place finishes. Freshman Gabby Schultz would hit the provisional qualifying distance in the shot put and improve her own personal best throw with a 13.75 meter toss and a first place finish. Schultz also threw in the 20-pound weight throw, recording a distance of 15.68.

This year’s 800 meter champion, Bond, had a unique race, avoiding what could of been a disastrous fall after getting tangled up with some of the other competitors. She would regain her focus and stuck with the front pack. After keeping pace with those leading the race, Bond kicked them down in the last stretch of the race to take the lead and win.

During the 3,000 meter run, the crowd witnessed a second victory for Narbuvoll, with Jones continuing to keep it close, finishing third. Narbuvoll would run a 9:52.49 and Jones a 10:03.09.

All first place finishes for the Fighting Scots would be freshman and sophomore athletes, while most of which took part in those relays that placed.

Placing third as a team, the present and future are both bright for the Fighting Scots.

Mike Lantinen is a Staff Writer for The Spectator.

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