Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Chippewa Invitational
Chippewas Celebrate Eight Seniors and Seven Event Wins at Chippewa Invite
2/7/2026 6:13:00 PM | Track & Field
Chippewas win seven events in all, Victoria Merrick and Linnearia Richards each finish top of the podium twice
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Track & Field hosted it's second home meet of the 2025-26 indoor season and celebrated eight graduating athletes during a brief intermission. The Chippewas had an outstanding day, finding a medal in each event with a Central Michigan participant. Eight institutions in all fielded the meet, including Mid-American Conference members Bowling Green State and Ball State.
Shortly after running events took the stage, there was a brief pause in action as Central Michigan celebrated seniors Jessie Gibbins, Grace Jenkins, Kate Jenkins, Emily Mclean, Libby Munderloh, Nicole Olivieri, Linnearia Richards, and Kaitlynn Rush.
Central Michigan took first place in seven events, with Victoria Merrick and Richards winning two events each. In all, the Chippewas earned 18 top three finishes.
Merrick gave the Chippewas a strong start to the day with a career best in the weight toss of 17.23m, eclipsing her previous best of 16.85m. Merrick took first in the event by over three meters, with second place logging a best of 13.62m.
The Chippewa throwers continued to impress by sweeping medals in the shot put amidst a 16-woman field. Merrick led the way for her second event win of the day and set a personal best of 13.87m. Mclean took a close second with a put of 13.77m, and Ereka Risner took third with a 13.08 put.
I'm super proud of our throwers and pole vaulters today. I think they were the highlight of the day, Director of Cross/Country Track and Field Jenny Swieton said. In the shot put going 1-2-3 and all throwing so well was fantastic. Gracie (Victoria Merrick) had a big throw in the weight throw.
Central Michigan found it's second medal sweep of the day in the 800m. Maya Guikema won the event, with a finishing time of 2:14.61, Lois Creasey took second at 2:16.19, and Emma Janesak rounded out the top three Chippewas at 2:19.96.
Riley Nielsen led the way in the pole vault, clearing 3.76m for third place. She was trailed by Emily Yoshino in fourth, and Jane Paddock in fifth. Yoshino cleared 3.61, while Paddock peaked at 3.46m.
The pole vaulters got it done. The two girls that finished first and second are really, really high-level vaulters, one was an All-American at Michigan State. They had high level competition, and I think they took advantage of that and used that to compete very well.
Richards, Jayda Watson and Ciara Rosenzweig represented the Chippewas in the 60m hurdles, and each qualified for the finals in the event. Richards won the event with crossing in 8.74 seconds, while Watson set a personal best of 8.86 seconds for second place. Rosenzweig crossed sixth at 9.58.
Richards earned her second event win of the day in the long jump, with a jump of 5.50m. She was followed by Hailey Hill, who topped out at 5.00m for fourth place.
Ella Sweatt and Sky Austin took first and third place in the 200m, finishing in 26.16 and 26.34, respectively. Dior Newson followed the pair with a fourth place finish of 26.42, while Mireya Benjamin closed it out in 27.02 seconds.
In the mile, Mara Szuper and Emma Netzel led the way, taking second and third, respectively. Szuper crossed in a personal best 5:10.85, while Netzel posted a 5:13.35. Rounding out the Chippewas pack were, Ava Teed in fourth, Logan Brazee in fifth, Miranda McNeil in sixth, and Nikki Carothers in eighth.
In the 60m dash, Rush grabbed bronze, finishing in 7.89 seconds. She was followed by Austin at 7.91 for fifth, Dior Newson at 7.95 for sixth, and Mireya Benjamin at 8.05 for eighth overall.
Olivieri was the lone Chippewa in the 400m and logged a finishing time of 1:00.83 to take second place.
The day ended with the 4x400, where the Chippewa relay teams took first and third. The 'A' team consisting of Creasey, Gibbins, Guikema, and Janesak took first in 4:12.04, and the 'B' team of Netzel, Carothers, McNeil, and Szuper logged 4:29.79.
Gracie's double PR with the shot put and the weight throw was the highlight of the day. It's hard to do well in both of your events on the same day. I think that was 100% the comfort of being at home and that makes me super excited for the Mid-American Conference Championships being at home.
Chippewas Track & Field will return next weekend for a two-day trip to Grand Valley for their annual Big Meet. Events begin Friday, Feb. 13 and conclude Saturday, Feb. 14.
Players Mentioned
