Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Meyo Invitational
Chippewas End Weekend in South Bend at Meyo Invitational
1/31/2026 5:22:00 PM | Track & Field
Central Michigan adds two personal bests, Hoffman takes fourth in the 3000m
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Central Michigan Track & Field wrapped up the Meyo Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame Saturday afternoon. The meet began Friday, where four Chippewas were able to post personal bests, CMU added two more Saturday.
CMU kicked off it's day with the distance team and the 3000m, freshman standout Kyah Hoffman led the way for the Chippewas with a 9:53.67 finish for fourth place. She was followed by Eva Thompson and Grace VanderKooi who placed 13th and 14th. The Chippewas' pack was rounded out with Kate Jenkins in 25th with a personal best 10:02.81 finish and Emma Janesak in 35th. It was Hoffman, Thompson, and VanderKooi's first collegiate 3000m.
It's great to see the team continuing to compete hard and improve. Kyah (Hoffman), Grace (VanderKooi), and Eva (Thomposon), had great debuts in the 3k, Director of Cross/Country Track and Field Jenny Swieton said. Gracie (Victoria Merrick) was very impressive today in the weight throw, she came so close to making the finals, and the 4x400 team continued to be impressive.
Merrick continued her strong weekend Saturday, setting a new personal best in the weight throw of 16.85m, good enough to place 10th. In Friday's session, Merrick led the Chippewas in the shot put, securing 13th at 13.27m
Emily Yoshino and Riley Nielsen each reached 3.53m in the pole vault. Yoshino passed on her first attempt, securing ninth place, Nielsen passed on her third attempt to take 12th.
Linnearia Richards took home ninth in the 60m-hurdles in 8.82 seconds. She qualified for the finals with an 8.81 finish and set a personal best in the long jump of 5.59m during Friday's session.
Sophia Garland took 10th in the 60m dash, with a 7.73 second finish, following a 7.72 on Friday.
Danica Shamion and Robyn Watts represented the Chippewas in the 400m. Shamion crossed at 57.16 for an 11th place finish, while Watts finished in 58.94 seconds for 26th.
Maya Guikema, Jessie Guikema, and Lois Creasey made up CMU's 800m team. Guikema led the way, finishing at 2:16.02, Gibbins posted a 2:17.85, and Creasey rounded out the pack at 2:19.7.
The meet ended with the 4x400m, Richards, Shamion, Munderloh and Watts making up the team. The squad took 10th place with a 3:49.08 finish.
In all the Chippewas' posted one top three finish and collected six personal bests.
Central Michigan Track & Field returns to Mount Pleasant Saturday, Feb. 8, for senior day at the Chippewa Invitational.
Players Mentioned
