Krause, Stevens garner All-OAC honors in pole vault, headline day one at 2019 OAC Championships for Women's Track & Field

By Blake Moore

WESTERVILLE — Juniors Maggie Krause (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) and Allison Stevens (Naperville, Ill./Central) claimed a 2-3 finish in the pole vault at Otterbein Friday afternoon, earning All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors to headline the opening day of the 2019 OAC Championships for the Ohio Northern women's track and field team.

Through seven contested event finals, the Polar Bears stand fourth with 32 team points. Meanwhile, four points separate the top-three teams as Mount Union leads with 61 points. John Carroll sits second with 60 points, and the host Cardinals sit third with 57 points.

The top three individuals and relays in each event earn All-OAC accolades.

Krause and Stevens claimed second and third in the women's pole vault competition held inside the Clements Recreation Center with 3.71-meter (12' 2") and 3.51-meter (11' 6.25") clearances. For their efforts, the junior tandem earned All-OAC honors.

Krause garners her fourth all-conference honor while Stevens earns her second career league accolade with their respective performances Friday.

Meanwhile, senior Michaela Fox (Bellevue), sophomore Chyanne Retcher (Ney/Fairview), junior Madeleine Routhier (West Unity/Hilltop), and senior Avery Ewing (Kokomo, Ind./Eastern) claimed a fourth-place finish in the 4x800-meter relay with a 9:50.45 effort to cap the evening.

On the track, sophomores Kylie Vestal (Youngstown/Austintown-Fitch) and Megan Wright (Eaton/Twin Valley South) crossed the tape in 11:44.35 and 11:46.61 for a 5-6 finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, respectively.

Meanwhile, freshman Rue Whitmore (Mason) and senior Kristina Myers (Grove City/Central Crossing) battled for sixth- and seventh-place marks in the 10,000-meter run. The former clocked a 39:33.03 while the latter trailed right behind her teammate with a 39:42.28 effort.

Senior thrower Tia Harris (Newton Falls) hung on for an eighth-place mark in the discus competition after hurling the implement 33.67 meters (110' 5").

In addition, five preliminary races in the sprint and hurdle disciplines were held Friday at Memorial Stadium. Five individuals qualified for six spots in the event finals to be held on Saturday.

Junior Taylor Lavey (New Baltimore, Mich./Findlay) and freshman Kayla Silva (Westerville/South) each qualified for the 100-meter dash finals while the former also clocked a season-best :25.76 to land a spot in the 200-meter dash finals.

In the 400-meter hurdles, seniors Sydney McCluer (Columbus Grove) and Taylor Fisher (Wapakoneta) registered the seventh- and eighth-fastest times with 1:06.99 and 1:07.47 clockings, respectively, to qualify for the event finals.

The 2019 OAC Championships continue tomorrow morning with field events beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Team Standings (Thru Day 1):

1.) Mount Union 61, 2.) John Carroll 60, 3.) Otterbein 57, 4.) Ohio Northern 57, 5.) Baldwin Wallace 27, 6.) Capital 16, 7.) Muskingum 12, 8.) Heidelberg 4, 9.) Wilmington 3, 10.) Marietta 1