MARION, Indiana – The Point Park Track and Field team was back in action on Thursday. The Pioneers had five members competing in different events throughout the day. The Pioneers walked away with three top 15 finishes out of the five events competed in. Following the completion of day two, the Men's Track and Field team currently is tied for 12th in the country as the Pioneers have eight points through two days. The Pioneers are currently tied with Dakota State (South Dakota) and Graceland (Iowa).
WOMEN'S 100M HURDLES
WOMEN'S 100M HURDLES
Competing in her second event of the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, Natalea Hillen (Sr./ McMurray, Pa.) finished out her senior year with a 34th place finish in the Women's 100M Hurdles. Hillen was in the third heat and finished with a time of 15.82. Hillen had previously competed in the 100M Hurdles last year. Hillen had a very strong year for the Pioneers taking home first place at the RSC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 100M Hurdles.
MEN'S 110M HURDLES
Only a freshman, Kanye Mills (Blackwood, N.J.) had a great day finishing 14th in the country in the Men's 110M Hurdles. Mills ran a 14.60 in his first ever National appearance. Mills has been great for the Pioneers over the course of the year as the freshman took home first place in the Men's 110M Hurdles at the RSC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
MEN'S 800 METER
Returning to the National stage, Ramiro Ulunque (Sr./ Bolivia) saw huge strides from last year as he ran a time of 1:51.89 to place 12th in the country. Last year at Nationals, Ulunque ran a 1:56 to place 24th in the country. This year Ulunque missed advancing to the finals by only three spots. Ramiro is the current record holder for the Men's 800 Meter at Point Park.
MEN'S LONG JUMP
Akeem Mustapha (Fr./ Harrisburg, Pa.) also made waves at day two as he finished 13th in the country in his first ever National appearance. In his first year, the freshman from Harrisburg jumped for 7.15 meters in his third attempt of the day. Mustapha had a phenomenal first year for the Pioneers as he was named the RSC Men's Track & Field Newcomer of the Year for his incredible first year performances.
WOMEN'S 5000M RACEWALK
In the last event of the day for the Pioneers, Sophia Lee-Hauser (Jr./ Elizabeth Forward, Pa.) was unable to complete the Women's 5000M Racewalk. Potentially one of the most endearing events in the championships Lee-Hauser has a lot to be proud of this year. Lee-Hauser finished 2nd this year at the RSC Outdoor Track & Field Championships to earn the Pioneers eight points towards their third RSC Outdoor Championship in a row. Lee-Hauser also competed in the National Indoor Track & Field Championships this year in Bookings, South Dakota, where she placed 13th in the country in the 3,000M Racewalk.
UP NEXT
Rounding out the events for Point Park at the National Outdoor Track & Field Championships tomorrow will be former NAIA All-American Emma Pavelek (Jr./ Beaver, Pa.). Pavelek will be competing in the Women's High Jump scheduled for 2:00 pm.
