Hickory, NC - Lincoln Memorial sophomore track and field standout Sterling Webb added some hardware to her trophy case Thursday, claiming the SAC Championship in the women's heptathlon. Webb, who was the Regional Indoor Field Athlete of the Year for the indoor season, continued her success into the outdoor season en route to earning the conference championship. She took first place in the 100m heptathlon hurdles, first place in the women's 200m heptathlon, first in the heptathlon long jump with the 53rd best jump in division II of the year, second in the women's 800m heptathlon, third place in the heptathlon high jump, fourth place in the heptathlon javelin throw, and fifth place in the heptathlon shot put, claiming the overall top spot in the women's heptathlon to claim the conference crown. Teammate Maggie Sanderson took a top 10 finish in the event, finishing 9th. Sanderson took fourth place in the women's heptathlon shot put, fifth place in the women's heptathlon 800m, eighth in both the women's heptathlon high jump and long jump, and ninth place in the 100m hurdles, 200m, and javelin. "Athletics is already an emotionally taxing thing. Maggie and Sterling experienced a wide array of them this week. At the end of the day, I think they both learned just how good they are. Maggie just missed scoring position, and Sterling had to dig deep for that top spot."

The Railsplitters saw five more podium finishes, completely dominating multiple throw and distance events. After setting a new personal record and the 77th highest mark in division II this season in the the women's 800m prelims, Theresa Brosthaus bested herself in the 800m final, taking silver with a time of 2:12.14. She wasn't the only one. After setting her personal best in the prelims of the women's 800m, Jacie Begley demolished her own performance, besting herself by more than a second, taking bronze with a time of 2:15.08. Harper Russell was just outside of a podium finish, taking 4th place overall with a time of 2:16.13. "Over the years, we've consistently had a presence in the women's 800," said Director of Track and Field Rochelle Black. "To finish with three ladies in the final, go 2-3-4, topple school records -- insane. Easily, the highlight of these two days for me was watching Lincoln Memorial all over that race."

Lidija Djokic set a personal record in the women's 400m hurdle prelims with the 86th-best mark in division II all year. She replicated her performance in the 400m hurdle final, securing a bronze finish in 1:04.26. "Lidijia worked her tail off for that medal--the end," said Black. "She's definitely got a story to tell, like the rest of these ladies, about adversity and proving people wrong. Hate to lose that talent, but its been a wild ride. A school record was a good cherry on top."

The Railsplitters absolutely dominated women's throw events, seeing four finish in the top 10 in the women's hammer throw, with one podium finish, and two top 10 finishes in the shot put, with one podium finish. Cate Turner took a bronze finish in the women's hammer with a distance of 145ft, 10in. She was followed closely by teammates Ashley Parrish, Nevaeh Kerns, and Kylee Alvis who finished 5th, 6th, and 9th respectively to secure four top 10 finishes, Parrish took a bronze finish in the women's shot put with a distance of 39ft, 4.5in. Alvis also finished in the top 10 with a distance of 37ft, 8.5in. Parrish also took a top 10 finish in the women's discuss with Alvis just outside the top 10, taking 11th. Kerns finished 18th in the discus and Turner took 19th. Alvis took 5th in the women's javelin throw as well. "Somebody give these ladies a crown, throne--all of it. Four in the hammer finals, two in the shot [put] final, and a finalist in the javelin and discuss. This year was a coming out party of sorts for Madeline, Cate, Ashley, Nevaeh, and Kylee. Coach Hannah has a good thing going there, and it'll just keep getting better."

Grace Rose took an eighth place finish in the women's 5k, with teammate Weslyn McIntosh taking 20th. "The 5k wasn't a run, it was a race. Both Grace and Weslyn did that," said Black. "Throw the times out and just beat people. Coach Kavalunas and Coach Ted put a plan together and those ladies did the work. Grace leaves as easily the best runner in program history, showing that the local girl definitely did good."

Greta Chizzali and Reaghan Curde each locked down top 10 finishes in each of their respective events. Chizzali locked down a seventh place finish in the women's 3000m steeplechase with a time of 12:03.53. Curde set a new personal record in the women's 1500m with a time of 4:42.72. "Greta has found her niche in the steeple," said Black. "Her first time out and she finishes seventh. That just tells me she's going to do big things over the next three years. Reaghan needed a few more meters and she would have caught another position. But, I think a new personal best is a great way to wrap up the season."

The relay team of Trinity Hine, Lidijia Djokic, Sterling Webb, and Ereyonna Gore finished in fifth in the women's 4x400m relay with a combined time of 3:56.23. "Another relay, another great time, another bow on a great season," said Black. "The ladies' 4x4 showed that we've got something here. Nothing flashy, just work. We lose Ereyonna and Lidija, but they leave this team better than they found it."

"Our seniors have put down a good foundation for this program that I never imagined possible," Black said proudly. "Records aside, they've fostered relationships that will go beyond this sport. They did great here and will do great after LMU. The difference between 4th place and 6th place was razor thin, so it could have been us finishing in the top four. I'm absolutely astonished at what I saw the ladies accomplish this week. This will continue to go up."