SUPERIOR, Wis. - Day one of the UMAC Outdoor Championships brought three program record-breaking performances and strong scoring efforts for the University of Northwestern Women's Track and Field team, as the Eagles currently sit in fourth place with 43 points heading into the final day tomorrow.

Two Eagles rewrote their own names in the program record book. Freshman Alaina Wojtowski (Oshkosh, Wis./Valley Christian) continued her standout season by breaking both of her own school records in the sprints, running 12.40 in the 100m prelims, surpassing her previous 12.45 record set a couple of weeks earlier, before capturing winning the 200m title in 25.74, recording another program record, lowering her previous record of 26.03.

In the distance events, Caroline Stokes (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) also reset the standard in the 3000m steeplechase. The senior crossed in 12:02.47, breaking her own program record of 12:17.20 set last season while finishing fourth and adding key team points. Jessica Redman (Beaver Dam, Wis./Beaver Dam) joined her in scoring position with a sixth-place, personal-best time of 12:46.51, while Olivia Usselman (Stillwater, Minn./Math and Science Academy) also recorded a personal best in the event.

The Eagles found additional success in the 800m, where Emery Maki (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing) delivered a meet-record performance of 2:17.20 to place fourth and score five points. Kimberlyn Case (Sleepy Eye, Minn./Litchfield) added a season-best 2:33.93, while Mariah Klippenes (South Haven, Minn./Annandale) and Samary Acuna (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley) contributed to a strong showing in the event with personal records of their own, 2:36.58 and 2:38.27, respectively.

In the field, Emily Ashton (Camas, Wash./St. Mary's Academy) led the way for the Eagles with a fourth-place finish in the javelin, throwing 34.52m (113' 3") to earn five points. Katelyn Shilts put together a versatile day, scoring in the 200m with a personal-best 26.96, qualifying in the 100m prelims with a personal best time of 13.07, and adding a point in eighth place in the long jump with a distance of 4.87m (15' 11.75"). 

Emily Neumann (St. Agusta, Minn./Sauk Rapids) chipped in four points with a fifth-place finish in the 200m with her finish of 27.02, while Lidia Castro (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South) also turned in a solid sprint performance in the 200m, crossing the line in 27.39. Grace Mangelsen (Siren, Wis./Siren) rounded out the field events and represented the Eagles with a throw of 8.47m (27' 9.50") in the shot put.

Northwestern also picked up points in the 4x800m relay, as the team of  Case, Cheyanne Scalese (Lancaster, Minn./Lancaster Public), Klippenes, and Natalie Van De Riet (Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) placed fourth.

The Eagles will return to action tomorrow to conclude the UMAC Championships, with momentum on their side and a chance to climb the standings. They will then continue their postseason at the NCCAA National Championships on May 7-8 in Wilmore, Kentucky.