APPLETON, Wisconsin – The Ripon men's and women's track and field programs nearly swept the Midwest Conference Outdoor Track and Field titles for the third consecutive seasons, but both programs settled for second-place finishes on Saturday afternoon at Whiting Field.
The men were in front with one event left, but Monmouth won the team crown with a trio of top-five finishes in the discus.
Illinois College placed first on the women's side after winning the indoor MWC title as well.
Dameco Walker was named the Midwest Conference Men's Outstanding Field Performer after winning the long jump, winning the triple jump and taking eighth in the high jump over the weekend. He received the same award at both MWC Championships in the 2023-24 school year.
Seth Bunders had the highlight race for Ripon on Saturday – the sophomore broke a 13-year old school record in the 400 final, winning the event with a time of 48.05. His teammate,
Jacob Davies, took third in the same event (48.65).
On the men's side, the Red Hawks won the 4x400 relay in 3:19.58 thanks to Davies, Bunders, Walker and
Rainier Villanueva.
Jacoby Cefalu finished third in a highly-competitive 100 final. The senior placed third with a mark of 10.70 seconds. Villanueva was the 800 runner-up, crossing the tape in 1:55.88.
On the women's side,
Gabby Allard earned a top-50 performance nationally in the 3000 steeplechase, taking second in 11:10.73.
Bridget Finn was also a runner-up individually, taking second in the 100 hurdle final (15.29) and second in the 400 hurdle final (1:06.01).
Madylyn Woyak earned All-MWC honors in the 400 final, taking third with a PR time of 1:00.04, while
Jenny Cortes finished second in the 800 (2:15.96).
Joley Berger impressed in the 5K, placing third with a time of 18:05.98.
Ripon's 4x100 team of
Tatum Trudell,
Sidney Hoffa, Woyak and Finn took third with a season-best time of 49.82. The 4x400 foursome of Woyak, Trudell, Cortes and Finn took third in 4:01.90 to end the meet.
In field events, Walker won the triple jump (14.38m) while Finn (1.66m) and
Chloe Studinski (1.56m) took second and third in the women's high jump, respectively.
Nicole Arnhold took third in the women's triple jump (10.28m).
UP NEXT
Ripon heads to Augustana College (Ill.) next Wednesday and Thursday (May 14-15) for the NCAA Last Chance Qualifier meet.
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