Track: Northwestern shatters records at Chicagoland Championships

TL;DR

Northwestern track team excelled at the Chicagoland Championships, winning three event titles and breaking two program records. Skye Ellis set a new 1,500-meter record, while Cary Drake achieved a historic time in her 3,000-meter steeplechase debut.

Northwestern track secured three event titles and broke two program records in a strong performance at the Chicagoland Championships on Friday.

Skye Ellis and Cary Drake were the stars in Elmhurst, Illinois, as both etched themselves into the NU history books with historic races. Ellis had already broken the school’s top 1,500-meter mark in May of last season, and surpassed her own record by a full two seconds with a 4:17.24 time in this contest. Ellis was one of four Wildcats to earn a top-10 finish in this race. Anna Hightower finished with the second-fastest time in program history and was on Ellis’ heels to earn second place in the 1,500m. Jackie Holman took fourth place, while Maddy Whitman finished in ninth, setting a personal record with a 4:36:22 time.

Meanwhile, Drake impressed in her first 3,000-meter steeplechase outing of her career, making her race count in a record-setting way. The redshirt freshman clocked a historic 10:29.96 time that also earned her first place in the event. Mallory Grubb also put together an impressive performance with a 10:43.74, a time good for third-fastest in Northwestern history. Her running in Elmhurst showcased the senior’s development in this race, as she shaved off 44 seconds from her previous competition.

The third Wildcat to win an event was Kailey Zagst, who finished first in the 5,000-meter competition with a 16:59.83 mark. Other noteworthy runs came from freshmen Katherine Kilmek and Marley McCullough, who both set personal records.

The Wildcats will have a busy schedule next weekend, as they’ll travel to California for the Bryan Clay Invitational on April 16, before making a quick trip the following day to Indiana for the Gibson Invitational.

Q&A

What records did Northwestern track break at the Chicagoland Championships?

Northwestern track broke two program records, with Skye Ellis setting a new 1,500-meter record and Cary Drake achieving a historic time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Who were the standout athletes for Northwestern at the Chicagoland Championships?

Skye Ellis and Cary Drake were the standout athletes, with Ellis breaking her own 1,500-meter record and Drake winning her first 3,000-meter steeplechase event.

What were the winning times for Northwestern athletes at the Chicagoland Championships?

Skye Ellis won the 1,500-meter race with a time of 4:17.24, Cary Drake won the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:29.96, and Kailey Zagst took first in the 5,000-meter with a time of 16:59.83.