MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee track & field women's squad competed in both the Raleigh Relays hosted by NC State in Raleigh, N.C., and the Joyce Morton-Kief Invitational hosted by Illinois State in Normal, Ill., Saturday.
 
RALEIGH RELAYS
 
"After a strong first two days, our group kept that momentum up heading into today," said head coach Andrew Basler. "In the 400-meter hurdles, Natalie executed a smooth rep to finish 3rd overall with a lifetime best. All last year we were fighting to dip into the 56's. For her to be able to open in a low-56 and it feel as effortless as it did for her, that's a great sign for things to come."
 
Natalie Block continued to shine in the team's first outdoor competition of the season, breaking her own school record in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing in third with a time of 56.27. Block shaved over 0.6 seconds off her previous career-best (56.92), a mark she set at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., a season ago.
 
Victoria Spagnola also competed in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing 39th with a 1:03.71 outing.
 
A trio of Panthers competed in the 200-meter dash, with Katie Burns clocking a time of 24.81, Anna Szepieniec turning in a 24.92 effort, and Taylor Thimmesch crossing the line in 25.96.
 
"In the women's long jump, all three ladies had great openers. Anna was able to make finals and get some extra jumps," added Basler.
 
In the long jump, Szepieniec secured sixth place, jumping 5.96 meters which is just 0.03 meters shy of her outdoor career high. Nevia Levenhagen ended 11th with her 5.72-meter jump, and Kallie Volk cleared 5.49m, nabbing 22nd-place.
 
"Being a Midwest program, there is not a lot of outdoor preparation before competing in the elements for the first time," added Basler. "This first outdoor weekend was a great opportunity to get outside and establish some benchmarks we will build upon throughout the outdoor season."
 
JOYCE MORTON-KIEF INVITATIONAL
 
"Battling cooler conditions, the team turned out some solid openers at Illinois State," said Basler. "In the ring, freshman Nolie Anderson came away with a victory in discus. Hitting mid-40's first time out is a great starting point for the season!"
 
Anderson was a clear standout for the Black & Gold, taking home the crown in the discus throw. The freshman, in her first collegiate outdoor meet, recorded a 44.97-meter throw, the fifth-best throw in Panther program history.
 
Mercedes Herrera and Adeline Wind also starred in the discus throw, recording 40.28 and 35.46-meter tosses, respectively.
 
In the high jump, Macy Woodward and Alexandria Simmons both secured a spot on the podium. Woodward secured second, clearing 1.62 meters, while Simmons nabbed third, jumping 1.57 meters.
 
The pole vault crew of Hailey Soriaga (third), Isabel Roloff (third), Emma Johnson (fifth), and Ella Laughbaum (sixth) all cleared 3.58 meters in the event.
 
"On the track, Angelica Refinski opened with a strong performance in the 200m," Basler added. "Teammate Roloff had an impressive start to her outdoor season, finishing 2nd in the 100-meter dash."
 
Roloff, Victoria Evtimov, and Refinski all placed in the top-five of the 100-meter dash. Roloff finished second with her 12.20 performance, while Evtimov and Refinski crossed the line in 12.34 and 12.38, respectively.
 
Refinski was the top Panther finisher in the 200-meter dash, completing the event in 25.46.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Panthers gear up for the Ashton May Invite hosted by UW-La Crosse in La Crosse, WI. The meet will kick off at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.