Central Michigan University Athletics
Saturday, March 28
Raleigh, N.C.
Central Michigan University
at
Raleigh Relays
Photo by: Lauren Verellen
McLean, Richards Crack Top-10 List at Hurricane Collegiate
3/28/2026 4:52:00 PM | Track & Field
Four athletes set personal bests; Richards takes 6th all-time in 400m hurdles, McLean 7th all-time in shot put
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Track & Field concluded it's first weekend of outdoor competition Saturday at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Miami (FL) and the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State.
The Chippewas successful second day of the outdoor season was highlighted by the addition of two athletes to the top-10 Chippewa all-time list, Linnearia Richards in the 400m hurdles, and Emily McLean in the shotput. Each performance coming at the Hurricane Collegiate.
Richards posted a 59.95 second, fourth place finish in the event, good for the sixth fastest performance in program history, and puts her as the sixth Chippewa all-time to finish the 400m hurdles in under a minute.
McLean took fifth place in the shotput with a 14.32m mark on her second attempt. The effort puts her in the seventh slot on the all-time list, just ahead of teammate Ereka Risner.
"I'm really excited about how this weekend turned out for our team," Central Michigan Director of Track & Field Jenny Swieton said, "It was great to be able to knock the rust off in some areas and start the season with a bang in others."
In the 400m, Danica Shamion and Robyn Watts each found personal bests. Shamion crossed in 56.31 seconds while Watts posted a 57.41 performance, the two finished 14th and 19th respectively.
Sophia Garland led the 200m squad, posting a personal best of 24.61 seconds. Ella Sweatt and Andrea Merin joined Garland in the event, Sweatt posted a 25.16 second finish, and Merin logged 25.35 seconds.
Libby Munderloh was the only other Chippewa to compete in the 400 hurdles and posted a 1:02.58 finish. Risner competed alongside McLean in the shot put and topped out at 13.11m.
Victoria Merrick returned to the field Saturday morning and kicked off action for the Chippewas with the javelin throw. Merrick topped out with a 32.03m attempt to take fourth place in the event.
Central Michigan fielded two relay teams Saturday afternoon in Miami. The 4x100m consisting of Shamion, Garland, Merin, and Sweatt posted a 47.06 second finish. The Chippewas day ended with the 4x400m team of Shamion, Munderloh, Watts, and Sweatt with a 3:50.91 performance.
At the Raleigh Relays CMU had four athletes compete in the 800m. Eva Thompson led the pack with a 2:14.45 finish. Additionally, competing was Jessie Gibbins (2:15.96), Olivia East (2:18.61) and Lois Creasey (2:19.72).
Chippewa Track and Field returns to Michigan Friday, April 3, in for the Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State in East Lansing.
The Chippewas successful second day of the outdoor season was highlighted by the addition of two athletes to the top-10 Chippewa all-time list, Linnearia Richards in the 400m hurdles, and Emily McLean in the shotput. Each performance coming at the Hurricane Collegiate.
Richards posted a 59.95 second, fourth place finish in the event, good for the sixth fastest performance in program history, and puts her as the sixth Chippewa all-time to finish the 400m hurdles in under a minute.
McLean took fifth place in the shotput with a 14.32m mark on her second attempt. The effort puts her in the seventh slot on the all-time list, just ahead of teammate Ereka Risner.
"I'm really excited about how this weekend turned out for our team," Central Michigan Director of Track & Field Jenny Swieton said, "It was great to be able to knock the rust off in some areas and start the season with a bang in others."
In the 400m, Danica Shamion and Robyn Watts each found personal bests. Shamion crossed in 56.31 seconds while Watts posted a 57.41 performance, the two finished 14th and 19th respectively.
Sophia Garland led the 200m squad, posting a personal best of 24.61 seconds. Ella Sweatt and Andrea Merin joined Garland in the event, Sweatt posted a 25.16 second finish, and Merin logged 25.35 seconds.
Libby Munderloh was the only other Chippewa to compete in the 400 hurdles and posted a 1:02.58 finish. Risner competed alongside McLean in the shot put and topped out at 13.11m.
Victoria Merrick returned to the field Saturday morning and kicked off action for the Chippewas with the javelin throw. Merrick topped out with a 32.03m attempt to take fourth place in the event.
Central Michigan fielded two relay teams Saturday afternoon in Miami. The 4x100m consisting of Shamion, Garland, Merin, and Sweatt posted a 47.06 second finish. The Chippewas day ended with the 4x400m team of Shamion, Munderloh, Watts, and Sweatt with a 3:50.91 performance.
At the Raleigh Relays CMU had four athletes compete in the 800m. Eva Thompson led the pack with a 2:14.45 finish. Additionally, competing was Jessie Gibbins (2:15.96), Olivia East (2:18.61) and Lois Creasey (2:19.72).
Chippewa Track and Field returns to Michigan Friday, April 3, in for the Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State in East Lansing.
Players Mentioned
Distance
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Distance
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Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
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Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
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