Whitmore, 4x800-meter relay runner-up finishes lead Women's Track & Field on day one at the Emory (Ga.) Classic

Whitmore, 4x800-meter relay runner-up finishes lead Women's Track & Field on day one at the Emory (Ga.) Classic
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March 29, 2019

By Blake Moore

ATLANTA, Ga. — Freshman Rue Whitmore (Mason) and the 4x800-meter relay crew of junior Madeleine Routhier (West Unity/Hilltop), senior Michaela Fox (Bellevue), sophomore Chyanne Retcher (Ney/Fairview), and senior Avery Ewing (Kokomo, Ind./Eastern) recorded runner-up marks to guide the Ohio Northern women's track and field team on the first day of the Emory (Ga.) Classic on Friday.

Through eight events, the Polar Bears own 32 points and are tied for second with Tiffin. North Georgia currently leads the meet with 33 points.

On the track, Ohio Northern recorded seven total top-eight finishes to earn points at the Woodruff P.E. Center Track on Friday.

Whitmore led three scorers in the 10,000-meter run after ending second in the 21-person field. The freshman clocked a 39:44.88 in her first career 10k race, which set the fifth-fastest time for a freshman in program history.

In addition, senior Kristina Myers (Grove City/Columbus Grove) and freshman Sophia Thompson (Sparta/Highland) ended fourth and eighth in 40:04.60 and 41:47.93, respectively.

Meanwhile, the 4x800-meter relay squad ended second in a six-team field with a 9:46.83 clocking. The quartet just trailed the North Georgia squad to the line, who won with a 9:40.00 effort.

In the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, sophomores Kylie Vestal (Youngstown/Austintown-Fitch) and Megan Wright (Eaton/Twin Valley South) rounded out the top-eight finishes with fourth- and sixth-place performances. The former set a new career-best with an 11:51.61 clocking while the latter recorded an 11:56.01 in her first career steeplechase competition.

In the field, senior thrower Tia Harris (Newton Falls) ended sixth in the hammer throw with a 44.54-meter toss.

The Polar Bears will conclude the two-day meet tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. with the men's shot put, women's discus, and preliminary rounds in the sprint and hurdle disciplines at the Woodruff P.E. Center Track.