Sterling, Kan. - The Friends University women's track and field team won their third straight KCAC championship on Friday, May 4^th at Sterling College. They scored 199 points to win the meet by 58 points over runnerup Southwestern's 141 points. This is the most points they have ever scored at the conference meet. This is also the first time in KCAC history that a team has taken home the triple crown, winning conference titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

The Falcons were once again led to the championship by their distance runners who combined to score 106 points. The field events accounted for 52 more points and their hurdle crew had a fine showing as well.

"Words cannot express how proud I am of our team. We overcame a lot of adversity throughout the meet and really proved to the conference that we were deserving of this championship. You always try to prepare your athletes to peak at the end of the year and that's exactly what we did. I am excited to see our kids perform at the national meet as I believe we have a chance to show the nation what Friends track and field can do," said Head Coach Cole Davis. "I would also like to send out a huge thank you to our whole coaching staff, training staff and friends and family who have supported us this year."

Individual highlights included the following:

Junior Jordan Arnold scored 22.5 points and did not lose any of her races as she won the 10k, won the 1500, and was a part of the winning 3200 relay. Her time of 4:47 in the 1500 is a new personal best.

Junior Tina Clausen scored 33 points in her events as she won the pole vault, placed 2^nd in the javelin, 4^th in the high jump, 5^th in the long jump, and 5^th in the triple jump.

Junior Karissa Cominator scored 20.5 points as she won the 5k, was 2^nd in the 10k, and was part of the winning 3200 relay.

Sophomore Connie Collins scored 17 points as she won the steeplechase and placed 5^th in the 10k and was 6^th in the 1500. Her time of 11:45 in the steeplechase is a new personal best and the second best time in school history behind teammate Karissa Cominator. Her best time previously this year in the steeple was 12:25.

Sophomore Ashley Lyons scored 16 points as she won the discus and placed 3^rd in the shot put.

Junior Lacey McFadden scored 15 points as she won the 400 hurdles and placed 4^th in the 100 hurdles. Her 400 hurdle victory came in dramatic and courageous fashion as she came from behind down the stretch and dove headfirst at the line to win the race. She did this all on two injured legs that kept her from practicing the last month of the season.

Junior Cecilia Burley scored 24.5 points as she placed 2^nd in the 1500, 2^nd in the 800, 3^rd in the 10k and was a part of the winning 3200 relay team.

Sophomore Rachel Renken scored 18 points as she placed 2^nd in the steeplechase to teammate Collins, placed 4^th in the 1500, and also 4^th in the 5k. Her time of 11:55 in the steeple is a new personal best by 15 seconds. Her 1500 time of 4:59.30 is also a new personal best.

For complete results click here.