Freshman Yaneli Guajardo became the first event winner in Lake Forest College women's track history at the NAIA vs. NCAA Challenge at Olivet Nazarene University on Saturday.
Guajardo won the 800-meter run in 2:28.52, which was more than 1.3 seconds faster than the runner-up from NCAA Division II Lewis University. She also placed ninth at the meet in the mile run with a time of 5:39.75.
The highest finish in an individual event for the Forester men came from junior Christian Aldana, who was fourth in the 3000-meter run run in 9:09.23. Junior Jorge Villanueva added a 15th-place finish and time of 4:48.45 in the mile run.
On the women's side freshman Molly Gniady placed 19th in the 3000, sophomore Jennifer Bolek was 21st in the 800, and classmate Lauren Giurini finished 31st in the mile.
Several other Foresters competed in relay events, most notably junior Emily Staufer and sophomores Estafania Ramirez, Briana Campbell, and Olivia Parrott, who were third in the distance medley with a time of 14:36.60. Aldana, fellow junior Sam Barton, and freshmen Alex Castillo and Darrian Lockett were fourth in the men's race in 11:42.43.
No team scores were kept at the meet.
Lake Forest College is sponsoring a men's varsity track program for the first time since 1973 and a women's team for the first time in school history. The Foresters compete in distance events of at least 400 meters.
The team's will compete in the Mike Lints Open at Grand Valley State University next Saturday. The meet will begin at 1:00 p.m. (ET).
