NAPERVILLE — The outdoor season for College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s track and field continued last weekend with several programs recording conference-leading marks and additions to the NCAA Division III performance lists. 
 
Across the league, student-athletes produced results in the throws, sprints, jumps and distance events, while teams also contended with challenging weather conditions at several meets.
 
Woods Sprints into the National Conversation
Elmhurst sophomore Carmela Woods opened her outdoor season with a strong showing at the Wheaton Invitational. Woods won the 200-meter dash in 25.17 seconds, a mark that leads the CCIW and ranks 44th in NCAA Division III. She also placed second in the 100-meter dash with a personal-best time of 12.19 seconds, which ranks second in the conference and 42nd nationally. Her performances earned her CCIW Track Student-Athlete of the Week recognition.
 
Frere Takes Command of the Discus Ring
Augustana senior Charlotte Frere turned in one of the top performances in Division III at the 81st Viking Olympics. Frere won the discus with a throw of 50.12 meters, which leads NCAA Division III by more than two meters and stands as the top mark in the CCIW. She was named the conference’s Field Student-Athlete of the Week following that effort. 
 
Frere also owns the conference’s top shot put mark and remains among the league leaders in the hammer throw. Augustana scored 200 points to win its 10-team home meet, with additional throws contributions from Laina Nelson, who placed second in the javelin and fourth in the discus, and Ella Colvin, who finished third in the hammer throw.
 
Firebirds Weather the Storm to Claim Home Title
Carthage hosted its first home outdoor meet since 2019 and won the Wisconsin Private College Championships despite rain, fog and lightning delays. The Firebirds totaled 304 team points to finish well ahead of second-place St. Norbert. Madison Payne won the shot put with a throw of 12.59 meters, which ranks 19th nationally, and also placed first in the hammer throw at 44.58 meters. Her season-best hammer mark of 45.73 meters remains the top throw in the conference this season. 
 
Jackie Tuzil added a win in the discus with a mark of 44.44 meters, which ranks eighth in Division III. On the track, Anna Kegel won the 100-meter dash and Jessie Pakaski claimed the 800-meter run in a personal-best 2:23.00.
 
Titans Showcase Depth and Resilience in Indiana
Illinois Wesleyan competed through heavy rain at the Huntsman Family Invitational and came away with two event victories and 16 top-three finishes. Junior Mackenzie Huber won the 400-meter dash in a personal-best 58.21 seconds, a time that currently tops the CCIW list. Freshman Summer Clark recorded her first collegiate victory by winning the high jump at 1.51 meters. 
 
Earlier in the week at the IC Thursday Throwdown, Ashlyn Rager won the discus and Kelsey Moore took first in the 400-meter hurdles. Senior Taylor French also finished second in the javelin with a throw of 38.07 meters, which stands as the best mark in the conference this season.
 
Big Blue Vault to Success at IC Thursday Throwdown
Millikin posted strong performances in the jumps and middle-distance events at the IC Thursday Throwdown. Hailey Newill won the pole vault by clearing 3.34 meters, the third-best mark in program history, while Alexa Weter finished second at 3.19 meters. Ella Neihls added a victory in the triple jump with a distance of 10.66 meters, which ranks 10th all-time at Millikin. 
 
Brooklynn Sweikar won the 800-meter run in 2:25.24 and continues to hold a faster season-best of 2:21.84 that leads the CCIW. Millikin also closed the meet with a first-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay behind Alayna Schultz, Kiley Coker, Lindsey Klaus and Sweikar.
 
Upcoming Schedule: Chicagoland Championships and More
Conference programs are scheduled to return to competition this weekend at several regional meets. Elmhurst, Carthage, North Central, Wheaton and North Park are set to compete at the Chicagoland Outdoor Championships from Thursday through Saturday. 
 
Augustana will travel to the UW-Platteville Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Carroll is scheduled to split its squad between the Beloit Relays and the UW-Oshkosh Outdoor Invitational and Multi. Millikin and Illinois Wesleyan are both slated to compete at the Greenville Select on Saturday.