Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, January 16
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
1:00 p.m.
Central Michigan University
vs
Jack Skoog Open
Track & Field Put a Bow on Jack Skoog Open
1/16/2026 8:22:00 PM | Track & Field
20 Athletes place top three, eight improve personal bests
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Track & Field hosted the 2026 rendition of the annual Jack Skoog Open Friday, Jan. 16. Competing schools included Mid-American Conference opponent Bowling Green alongside Alma, Lake Superior State, and Lawrence Tech.
The Chippewas took the top-spot in six events and earned a clean podium sweep in the 600m and pole vault.
"I think it's like we always say in cross country, our strength is in our pack, but that's kind of the same in track. Our strength is our whole team." Head Coach Jenny Swieton said.
Emily Yoshino led the way as fellow vaulters Riley Nielson and freshman Jane Paddock swept the top three spots in the pole vault. Yoshino peaked at 3.76m, Nielson 3.51m, and Paddock set a personal best of 3.36m.
In the 400m Chippewas took four of the top five spots. Libby Munderloh crossed with a new best of 1:36.07 for first and was trailed by Lois Creasey at 1:39.49 for second, Madalyn Schmitz at 1:43.01 for third and Nicole Olivieri at 1:45.00 for fifth.
Linnearia Richard took first in the long jump with a 5.54m mark and set a personal best in the 200m of 26.19 in her second collegiate meet.
Emily Mclean took first in the shot put with a best on the day of 13.74m, and Victoria Merrick reached 13.11m for her second podium finish of the day. Merrick, the lone Chippewas' weight thrower placed first with a 15.97m throw.
Danica Shamion marked a personal best of 57.51 to take home first in the 400, edging second by two-hundredths of a second.
Sophia Garland was one one-hundredth of a second from victory in her second ever 60m attempt in a time of 7.72 seconds.
The freshman trio of Kyah Hoffman, Grace VanderKooi and Eva Thompson found the podium in the mile, an event paced by a MAC medalist last season. All three finished with a time that would have advanced to the final in last year's indoor championship.
"Asking freshmen to go compete against the MAC champ and not be afraid alone is a win, but to compete to the level where they can PR is good for the future. That was a very good start for them."
Hoffman crossed the finish line fourth (5:00.32), VanderKooi sixth (5:03.25) and Thompson seventh (5:03.46).
"It was so good to see everybody compete. Danica (Shamion) won on a lean, Maya (Guikema) took the lead in the 800 over someone who's PR is seven seconds ahead of hers and went for the win.
"It was good to see Sophia (Garland) has never run the 60 in her life and she took second.
"It's like just so good to see people out here like competing hard, taking it seriously and doing what they can."
Chippewa Track and Field return Friday, Jan. 23 at the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic and the Crossroads Invite in Indianapolis.
The Chippewas took the top-spot in six events and earned a clean podium sweep in the 600m and pole vault.
"I think it's like we always say in cross country, our strength is in our pack, but that's kind of the same in track. Our strength is our whole team." Head Coach Jenny Swieton said.
Emily Yoshino led the way as fellow vaulters Riley Nielson and freshman Jane Paddock swept the top three spots in the pole vault. Yoshino peaked at 3.76m, Nielson 3.51m, and Paddock set a personal best of 3.36m.
In the 400m Chippewas took four of the top five spots. Libby Munderloh crossed with a new best of 1:36.07 for first and was trailed by Lois Creasey at 1:39.49 for second, Madalyn Schmitz at 1:43.01 for third and Nicole Olivieri at 1:45.00 for fifth.
Linnearia Richard took first in the long jump with a 5.54m mark and set a personal best in the 200m of 26.19 in her second collegiate meet.
Emily Mclean took first in the shot put with a best on the day of 13.74m, and Victoria Merrick reached 13.11m for her second podium finish of the day. Merrick, the lone Chippewas' weight thrower placed first with a 15.97m throw.
Danica Shamion marked a personal best of 57.51 to take home first in the 400, edging second by two-hundredths of a second.
Sophia Garland was one one-hundredth of a second from victory in her second ever 60m attempt in a time of 7.72 seconds.
The freshman trio of Kyah Hoffman, Grace VanderKooi and Eva Thompson found the podium in the mile, an event paced by a MAC medalist last season. All three finished with a time that would have advanced to the final in last year's indoor championship.
"Asking freshmen to go compete against the MAC champ and not be afraid alone is a win, but to compete to the level where they can PR is good for the future. That was a very good start for them."
Hoffman crossed the finish line fourth (5:00.32), VanderKooi sixth (5:03.25) and Thompson seventh (5:03.46).
"It was so good to see everybody compete. Danica (Shamion) won on a lean, Maya (Guikema) took the lead in the 800 over someone who's PR is seven seconds ahead of hers and went for the win.
"It was good to see Sophia (Garland) has never run the 60 in her life and she took second.
"It's like just so good to see people out here like competing hard, taking it seriously and doing what they can."
Chippewa Track and Field return Friday, Jan. 23 at the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic and the Crossroads Invite in Indianapolis.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Vault
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Vault
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