Holmes, Kirchoff Steal The Show In Michigan

Milwaukee posts 15 top-10 finishes at big meet

Allendale, Mich. – The Milwaukee women's track and field team posted 15 top-10 finishes in an outstanding day on the track at the Mike Lints Open Saturday hosted by Grand Valley State.

"We continued to make progress in all areas today," Milwaukee head coach Pete Corfeld said. "We had some big performances today. We like coming to this meet so we can get on a 300m track and I think our athletes made the most of it. There were a lot of PRs and good results across the board. Now we're gearing up for Notre Dame."

Running in her first ever indoor 3000m, junior Leah Holmes posted an incredible finish. The Horizon League Cross Country Champion led the majority of the race and was just nipped at the finish, settling for second place with a remarkable time of 10:00.83. That time now stands sixth all time in program history.

Melissa Kirchoff also had quite the day for the Black & Gold. The sophomore won the deep triple jump competition with a PR leap of 11.68m (38-4), just edging out teammate Alize Souter (11.51m) to give Milwaukee a 1-2 finish. Kirchoff's mark moves her back into the top-10 all time list, slotting her at ninth in UWM history.

The Franklin native also notched a new personal best on the track, crossing the line in the 60m hurdle finals in 8.86 seconds for third overall. That time moves her into fourth all time and less than two tenths shy of the school record.

Milwaukee got its first win of the day from Alisha Harper. Competing in her third event on the day, Harper was first out of 29 competitors in long jump with a solid early season leap of 5.54m (18-2 ¼).

UWM continued its dominance in the jumping events on the day, taking three of the top-seven spots in high jump. Souter finished second overall after clearing 1.60m (5-3), while Rylee Anderson and Kanika Bass both cleared the bar at the same mark but finished sixth and seventh based on attempts.

Ally Anich posted her fastest 5K time at 18:07.91 – a whopping nine seconds ahead of her previous PR for fourth on the day. Freshman Brenda Hernandez was close behind with a strong time of 18:29.37 for seventh.

Senior Brooke Jameson led UWM in the mile with a personal-best time of 5:20.78, while Jessie Laabs led a pack of Panthers in the 800m, crossing the line at 2:19.63 for 11^th.

The Panthers also put up some impressive results in sprint events Saturday.

In the 200m, Anuli Okonkwo came in seventh overall at 25.75, with Harper right behind at 25.87 for ninth and Lauren Magnuson 12^th in 26.18. Magnuson also was solid in the 60m, taking 10^th in 8.00.

It was Kate Novacek's turn in the 400m. The junior took fifth overall in 58.10, with Okonkwo right behind at 58.75.

Milwaukee also sent a handful of athletes to the UW-Parkside Green and White Invitational.

Michelle Garner won the 55m sprint in a blazing 7.37 seconds to take down the field of 19.

Sophomore Karlie Place won the pole vault competition after clearing 3.35m.

Freshman Cassidy Detert continued her outstanding start to her collegiate career, winning both the shot put (13.06m) and weight throw (15.25m) on the day, with fellow newcomer Rachel Liegel taking third in both events.

Milwaukee will now prepare for the national Meyo Invitational next weekend hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

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