Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, March 27
Raleigh, N.C.
Central Michigan University
at
Raleigh Relays
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Track & Field Opens Outdoor Season at Raleigh Relays and Hurricane Invitational
3/27/2026 7:43:00 PM | Track & Field
Six runners competed in the first day of the Raleigh Relays; four field athletes made their mark at Hurricane Invite, including a program top-ten performance by Merrick
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Track & Field began outdoor competition Friday at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Miami (FL) and the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State.
The Chippewas' day began in Coral Gables at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, where Victoria Merrick found her way onto the program all-time top ten list with a 52.42m performance in the hammer throw. The mark allowed her to finish seventh of 13. She will continue competition at Miami Saturday, in the javelin.
"It's good to be back out here," Central Michigan Director of Track & Field Jenny Swieton said, "After ending the indoor season so well at the MAC Championships, we're excited to get the outdoor season started."
Linnearia Richards took 15th in the long jump, with a she topped out with a 5.76m jump in her first attempt.
Riley Nielsen competed in the pole vault, where she cleared the 3.62m mark on her third attempt.
At the Raleigh Relays, Lois Creasey and Eva Thompson kicked the day off for the Chippewas in the 1500m. Thompson logged a 4:33.34 performance, and Creasey crossed at 4:43.42.
Emma Janesak continued the day with the 300m steeplechase, where she logged an 11:23.28 finishing time.
Kyah Hoffman, Grace VanderKooi, Kate Jenkins, and Emma Netzel rounded out the day for CMU in the 5000m. Hoffman led the group with at 16:52.6, VanderKooi logged 17:25.35, Jenkins with 17:49.05, and Netzel crossed at 18:23.87.
Central Michigan will continue competition at both sites Saturday, kicking off with Merrick at the Hurricane Invitational in the Javelin. Five Chippewas will run at the Raleigh Relays, all competing in the 800m.
CMU's Saturday schedule:
Hurricane Invitational
Victoria Merrick – Javelin (9:00 am)
Linnearia Richards - 100m-H (12:00 pm), 400m-H (2:50 pm)
Shamion, Garland, Merin, Sweatt - 4x100m (1:00 pm)
Emily Mclean - Shot Put (1:00 pm)
Ereka Risner - Shot Put (1:00 pm)
Danica Shamion - 400m (1:55 pm)
Robyn Watts - 400m (1:55 pm)
Sophia Garland - 100m (2:15 pm), 200m (3:10 pm)
Andrea Merin - 100m (2:15 pm), 200m (3:10 pm)
Libby Munderloh - 400m-H (2:50 pm)
Ella Sweatt - 200m (3:10 pm)
Shamion, Munderloh, Watts, Sweatt - 4x400m (3:55 pm)
Raleigh Relays
Lois Creasey - 800m (12:00 pm)
Olivia East - 800m (12:00 pm)
Jessie Gibbins - 800m (12:00 pm)
Emma Janesak - 800m (12:00 pm)
Eva Thompson - 800m (12:00 pm)
The Chippewas' day began in Coral Gables at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, where Victoria Merrick found her way onto the program all-time top ten list with a 52.42m performance in the hammer throw. The mark allowed her to finish seventh of 13. She will continue competition at Miami Saturday, in the javelin.
"It's good to be back out here," Central Michigan Director of Track & Field Jenny Swieton said, "After ending the indoor season so well at the MAC Championships, we're excited to get the outdoor season started."
Linnearia Richards took 15th in the long jump, with a she topped out with a 5.76m jump in her first attempt.
Riley Nielsen competed in the pole vault, where she cleared the 3.62m mark on her third attempt.
At the Raleigh Relays, Lois Creasey and Eva Thompson kicked the day off for the Chippewas in the 1500m. Thompson logged a 4:33.34 performance, and Creasey crossed at 4:43.42.
Emma Janesak continued the day with the 300m steeplechase, where she logged an 11:23.28 finishing time.
Kyah Hoffman, Grace VanderKooi, Kate Jenkins, and Emma Netzel rounded out the day for CMU in the 5000m. Hoffman led the group with at 16:52.6, VanderKooi logged 17:25.35, Jenkins with 17:49.05, and Netzel crossed at 18:23.87.
Central Michigan will continue competition at both sites Saturday, kicking off with Merrick at the Hurricane Invitational in the Javelin. Five Chippewas will run at the Raleigh Relays, all competing in the 800m.
CMU's Saturday schedule:
Hurricane Invitational
Victoria Merrick – Javelin (9:00 am)
Linnearia Richards - 100m-H (12:00 pm), 400m-H (2:50 pm)
Shamion, Garland, Merin, Sweatt - 4x100m (1:00 pm)
Emily Mclean - Shot Put (1:00 pm)
Ereka Risner - Shot Put (1:00 pm)
Danica Shamion - 400m (1:55 pm)
Robyn Watts - 400m (1:55 pm)
Sophia Garland - 100m (2:15 pm), 200m (3:10 pm)
Andrea Merin - 100m (2:15 pm), 200m (3:10 pm)
Libby Munderloh - 400m-H (2:50 pm)
Ella Sweatt - 200m (3:10 pm)
Shamion, Munderloh, Watts, Sweatt - 4x400m (3:55 pm)
Raleigh Relays
Lois Creasey - 800m (12:00 pm)
Olivia East - 800m (12:00 pm)
Jessie Gibbins - 800m (12:00 pm)
Emma Janesak - 800m (12:00 pm)
Eva Thompson - 800m (12:00 pm)
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