Women's track team finds much success

The IU women's track and field team stormed the track last weekend, competing against the defending national champions, Auburn, and many other notable opponents at the Hoosier Relays. The Hoosiers had a strong showing across all events throughout the two-day meet. Seniors Courtney Johnson and Lindsay Hattendorf led IU by posting NCAA provisional qualifying times. Hattendorf recorded a time of 9:32.32 in the 3,000-meter run, while Johnson ran a personal best of 8.42 in the 60-meter hurdles. Senior Candace Perry made her season debut by winning the long jump with a jump of 5.91 meters, while senior Lorian Price took second with a jump of 5.81 meters. Price also took fifth in the 60-meter hurdles. \nSenior Stacey Clausing earned herself a third place finish in the 200-meter dash invitational with a time of 24.17. She was also the anchor leg on the third place 4-by-400-meter relay team, joining seniors Michele Huber, Molly Beckwith and sophomore Caitlin Lauer. Sophomores Audrey Smoot and Tiffany Howard finished third in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:36.61 and in the shot put with a throw of 13.82 meters, respectively. Freshmen Vera Neuenswander and Faith Sherrill each recorded personal bests during the weekend, as Neuenswander finished fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.77 meters and Sherrill tied for third place with teammate and sophomore Tiffany Howard with a throw of 13.82 meters. \nNow three weeks out from the Big Ten championship, the Hoosiers are building momentum and eagerly anticipating the future competitions. IU heads to Arkansas, the host of the 2007 NCAA Indoor National Championships, to compete in the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., on Feb. 9-10.