Mechanicsburg, Pa - The Juniata women's track and field team posted a number of strong performances at the Messiah Invitational on Saturday, highlighted by a victory in the 4x400m relay and standout marks across sprints, mid-distance, and field events.
Olivia Barbacci (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley HS) continued her impressive spring season with a third-place finish in the 400 meters, clocking a PR of 58.14 — which ranks among the top-35 in NCAA Division III this season. Jackie Bryant (Islip, N.Y. / Bay Shore HS) followed with a PR of 1:06.16 in the same event, and Haley Mummah (Mifflintown, Pa. / Juniata HS) also set a new personal best in 1:14.09.
In the sprints, Breanne Spencer (Grampian, Pa. / Curwensville Area HS) led the team in the 100 meters, qualifying for the final and placing sixth overall in 13.27. She was followed by Gracie French (Waynesboro, Pa. / Waynesboro Area Senior HS), who ran 13.35 in prelims, and Jackie Bryant, who ran 13.98. Ashley Alfree (Mercersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan HS) and Rebecca Mensch each clocked PRs in the 100m as well. French also placed eighth in the 200 meters (27.28), scoring a point for the team, while Spencer followed in 28.34.
In the mid-distance events, Rebecca Christophel (Three Springs, Pa. / Southern Huntingdon HS) led the Eagles in the 800 meters, running 2:28.15. She was closely followed by Camille McRoberts (Canton, Pa. / Canton HS) in 2:28.58, and Chloe Reilley (Honey Brook, Pa. / Twin Valley HS) added a 2:45.85. In the 5000 meters, McRoberts ran a strong 20:17.37 to place 11th, while Olivia Brenneman (York, Pa. / Dallastown Area HS) posted a PR of 20:29.19.
Bri Spencer also competed in the long jump, posting a mark of 4.08m, just behind Haley Mummah, who led the team with a 4.15m effort. In the triple jump, Jackie Bryant earned a top-10 finish with a mark of 9.76m.
In the hurdles, Gracie French ran 17.33 in the 100m hurdles, while Rebecca Mensch set a PR of 19.49.
In the field, Ashley Alfree tied for seventh in the high jump with a clearance of 1.45m, scoring two points. Josie Kelly (York, Pa. / Kennard-Dale HS) placed 11th in the pole vault with a clearance of 2.60m.
The throwing crew was led by Chloe Sauer (Middleburg, Pa. / Midd-West HS), who threw a PR of 34.71m in the hammer and added a PR in the discus (33.00m) and a 9.90m mark in the shot put. Emma Pinkston (Paris, Ill. / Paris HS) followed in the discus with a 31.45m mark. Justice Sheaffer (Lewistown, Pa. / Mifflin County HS) had a busy day, posting PRs in the hammer (25.38m), discus (23.47m), and placing 19th in the javelin. Paytan Henry (Greensburg, Pa. / Greensburg Salem HS) also posted a PR in the hammer throw (21.11m).
The day concluded with a victory in the 4x400m relay, as the team of Rebecca Christophel, Camille McRoberts, Jackie Bryant, and Chloe Reilley ran 4:25.97 to finish first and earn five points.
