Women's Track & Field Finishes Fourth in Team Standings; Men's Finish Eighth at NEC Outdoor Championships

Chicago State track & field closed out a strong showing at the Northeast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships with multiple podium finishes, event titles, and valuable team points across the final day of competition.

Leading the way was Katherine Thornton, who captured the conference championship in the women's 400-meter hurdles with a first-place time of 1:03.14. Thornton also added a runner-up finish in the women's 100-meter hurdles, clocking 13.97.

Chicago State also earned three additional silver-medal performances. Lena Cleveland placed second in the women's triple jump with a mark of 11.79 meters, while Faustin Kaseba finished second in the men's 110-meter hurdles in 14.47. On the track, Latonia Johnson claimed second in the women's 100 meters with a time of 12.03.

The Cougars continued to score in the field events as Lucas Polkinghorn took third in the men's high jump at 1.94 meters, while Khalis Reyes placed fourth in the men's triple jump with 14.21 meters and Xavier Beatty followed in seventh at 14.12 meters.

Additional scoring performances came from Jacob Draaisma in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase with a fifth-place finish in 9:30.12, Weronika Stanczak in the women's 1500 meters placing seventh in 4:52.20 and sixth in the 800 meters in 2:19.82, Michael Rabogo in the men's 400-meter hurdles placing fifth in 55.07, and Kendrick Scott in the men's shot put with a seventh-place mark of 14.98 meters.

In the sprints, Johnson added a fourth-place finish in the women's 200 meters in 25.04, while Queanna Taylor scored in both the 100 meters with a fourth-place time of 12.11 and the 200 meters finishing sixth in 25.47. Jaya Harrigan also scored in the women's 100 meters with an eighth-place finish in 12.57.

Chicago State wrapped up the championships in the women's 4x400-meter relay as Thornton, Taylor, Johnson, and Austin combined for sixth place in 4:02.89.

The Women's Track & Field team finishes fourth in the team standings with 94 team points, while the men finish eighth with 51 team points. 

Chicago State Top Eight Finishers

Men's Triple Jump
4 Khalis Reyes – 14.21m
7 Xavier Beatty – 14.12m
 
Women's Triple Jump
2 Lena Cleveland – 11.79m
 
Men's 3000 Steeplechase
5 Jacob Draaisma – 9:30.12
 
Women's 1500 Meters
7 Weronika Stanczak – 4:52,20
 
Men's 110 Meter Hurdles
2 Faustin Kaseba – 14.47
5 Ishan Cooper – 15.24
6 Jerrick Kelley – 15.33
 
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles
2 Katherine Thornton – 13.97
 
Men's Shot Put
7 Kendrick Scott – 14.98m
 
Men's High Jump
3 Lucas Polkinghorn – 1.94m
 
Women's 100 Meters
2 Latonia Johnson – 12.03
4 Queanna Taylor – 12.11
8 Jaya Harrigan – 12.57
 
Women's 800 Meters
6 Weronika Stanczak – 2:19.82
 
Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
5 Michael Rabogo – 55.07
 
Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
1 Katherine Thornton – 1:03.14
 
Women's 200 Meters
4 Latonia Johnson – 25.04
6 Queanna Taylor – 25.47
 
Women's 4x400 Relay
6 Chicago State (Thornton, Taylor, Johnson, Austin) – 4:02.89

Women's Final Team Standings
1 Central Connecticut - 182
2 Saint Francis - 105.5
3 Stonehill - 95
T-4 Chicago State - 94
T-4 FDU - 94
6 Wagner - 79.5
7 LIU - 69
8 New Haven - 52.5
9 Le Moyne - 41.5
10 Mercyhurst - 4

Men's Final Team Standings
1 Wagner - 182
2 Central Connecticut - 172
3 Stonehill - 97
4 FDU - 89
5 New Haven - 78.5
6 Saint Francis - 64
7 LIU - 56
8 Chicago State - 51
9 Mercyhurst - 22.5
10 Le Moyne - 5

UP NEXT
The Track & Field teams return to action splitting up for the Illini Tune-Up at Illinois and the Sycamore Open at Indiana State. Both meets are scheduled for May 8.