NAIA Indoor Championships
Recap
The Dordt University women's track and field advanced both of its relays to finals on a great first day at the 2022 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships.
The Defenders 4x800 relay was the first to compete at today's championship where they edged out Goshen (Ind.) to win heat two by .08 seconds. Dordt will head to Friday's championship race with the sixth fastest time overall (9:28.87), the ninth fastest time in program history. Friends (Kan.) had the top time overall in the prelims (9:16.3), followed closely by defending champion Taylor (Ind.) and Concordia (Neb.). Dordt relay members include Bethany Ten Haken, Emilee Heynen, Jessica Kampman and Mika Kooistra.
The 4x400 relay was next on the track and outlasted Concordia to win heat three and advance to Saturday's final. Emma Bakker came from behind and held off Rachel Battershell in the final moments in what was a photo finish. The Defenders crossed the finish line with a time of 3:50.79, second fastest in today's prelims and nearly three seconds faster than their qualifying time. Today's time ranks third fastest in program history. Dordt team members include Bakker, Heynen, Kooistra and Anmarie Stuit.
Friday's line-up:
Emma Bakker - 400m: 1:05
Emilee Heynen, Mika Kooistra, Anmarie Stuit - 600m: 1:25pm
Bethany Ten Haken - 800m: 2:45pm
Anika Homan, Jessica Kampman - 3000m: 3:55pm
4x800 finals - 5:20pm
Next Up
The Defenders will compete again on Friday, beginning with Emma Bakker in the 400m, at 1:05pm