Toledo's Distance Medley Relay Team Takes Gold at MAC Indoor Championships

Friday, February 23

Ypsilanti, Mich.

All Day

University of Toledo

MAC Indoor Championships Day 1

The distance medley relay team of Lianna Surtz, Cadence Christie, Laura Nicholson and Krystal Clark took first place at the MAC Indoor Championships with a time of 11:30.45, the second-fastest time in Toledo history.

Toledo's Distance Medley Relay Team Takes Gold at MAC Indoor Championships

2/23/2024 7:18:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

MAC Track - Day One Day Two - Track Starts Day Two - Field Starts

Rockets land in sixth place after day one of competition

YPSILANTI, Mich. – A first-place finish by the distance medley relay team paced the Toledo women's track & field team on day one of the 2024 Mid-American Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Friday.

The DMR team of Lianna Surtz, Laura Nicholson, Krystal Clark, and Cadence Christie posted a time of 11:30.45, nearly five seconds ahead of second-place Bowling Green and the second-fastest time in Toledo history, trailing only the 11:29.57 mark set in 2003.

The victory in the DMR scored 10 of the Rockets' 22 points which put them into sixth place headed into tomorrow's final day of competition. Host Eastern Michigan is in first place with 36.5 points.

The Rockets also picked up seven points in the 5000m, with a 5-7-8 finish by Melody Jebiwot (16:34.59), Morgan Hicks (16:46.12) and Vilde Henriksen (16:47.14).

Freshman pole vaulter Jordyn Wright scored five points with a fourth-place finish. Her top height was 3.55 meters (11-7 ¾).

"It was a very good first day," said Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "We got some unexpected points in the pole vault which was awesome. Jordyn was ranked 10th coming into the event and finished fourth. She was clean through her first three heights and that made the difference.

"Our DMR team ran a terrific race across all four legs and I'm really proud of them. It was touch and go with Laura and the hamstring injury she's been nursing so for her to pull it out and bring back that relay title to Toledo was a great way to close out day one."

In the mile prelims, sophomore Lianna Surtz (4:58.19) and senior Laura Nicholson (4:58.69) finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively, to qualify for tomorrow's finals.

Junior Mayson Bates qualified in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.72 in the prelims. "Mason getting through and into the finals was clutch and will give us some needed points on the board tomorrow," said Grove-McDonough.

The MAC Indoor Championships will conclude tomorrow beginning with field events at 10:00 a.m. followed by running events at 1:30 p.m.

Mid-American Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships
Ypsilanti, Mich. | Bowen Field House
Friday, Feb. 23

Team Standings (Points Through Day One)
1. Eastern Michigan - 36.5
2. Miami - 34.5
3. Bowling Green – 29
4. Kent State – 26
5. Ball State – 23
6. Toledo – 22
7. Buffalo – 17
8. Akron – 15
9. Central Michigan – 11
10. Western Michigan - 10
10. Ohio -10
12. Northern Illinois – 0

Toledo Friday Results

Pole Vault
4. Jordyn Wright – 3.55 m

Mile Prelims
4. Lianna Surtz – 4:58.19 (Q)
5. Laura Nicholson – 4:58.69 (Q)

400m Prelims
20. Rahzia Rios-Smith – 59.16

60m Hurdles Prelims
8. Mayson Bates – 8.72 (Q)

60m
18. Khamani Jones – 7.78

Long Jump
18. Sydney Caddell – 5.22m (17-1 ½)

5,000m
5. Melody Jebiwot – 16:34.59 (PR)
7. Morgan Hicks – 16:46.12
8. Vilde Henriksen – 16:47.14 (PR)
14. McKinley Fielding – 17:20.17 (PR)

4000m Distance Medley Relay
1. Toledo – 11:30.45 (Lianna Surtz, Laura Nicholson, Krystal Clark, Cadence Christie)