Taylor Women Clock in at No. 22 in Latest USTFCCCA NAIA Poll

USTFCCCA Release

NEW ORLEANS – Taylor's women's track and field squad checked in at No. 22 in the USTFCCCA NAIA rankings released on Wednesday, January 31. 

The Trojans Indoor season has already seen its fair share of amazing performances from the women. 

The distance events are where the squad has shined the brightest, having five athletes qualify for the NAIA Track and Field Indoor Championships in either the 3,000 meters or the mile. 

Audrey Brinkruff has qualified in both in the past two weeks. She started with an outstanding performance at the Butler Invitational in the 3,000 meters, where she ran a time of 10:06.27, and then came home to the Trojan Invite the following week and qualified for the mile with a time of 5:05.99. Joining her in the mile is Noel VanderWall, who posted the third-fastest time in the event in the NAIA this year at 5:03.92 at the Butler Invitational.

Mollie Gamble hit the NAIA A Standard in the 3,000 meters at Butler with a time of 10:09.18, and Ahna Neideck hit the B Standard the following week at Taylor with a time of 10:19.88. 

Outside of the distance events, Abby Mays hit the B Standard in the 800 meters at the Butler Invitational and then helped the Distance Medley Relay team hit the A Standard with the second-best time in the Nation at 12:05.21. Joining Mays in the relay were Ashley Hall, Emily Johnson, and VanderWall. The final athlete to qualify for the NAIA Track and Field Indoor Championships so far is Patience Sakeuh, who clocked a time of 8.96 in the 60-meter hurdles at the Trojan Invite. 

Outside of qualifying times, Mai Zimmerman has started her collegiate career brilliantly, setting the new program record in the pole vault with a height of 3.22 meters. Additionally, the Trojans have won eight events in the three meets they have participated.

The No. 22 Trojans are set to continue competition on Saturday, February 3, at the Indiana Wesleyan Midwest classic in Marion, Indiana.