Track and field set for strong start to 2022
NIU’s track and field squad looks to establish winning ways in its first spring season under head coach Jamie Moreno.
Junior sprinter Neshay Curtis in a race during the 2018 track season
DeKALB — The women’s track and field team seeks to continue its strong start to its 2022 campaign after winning 14 events in the first three meets of the season.
Head coach Jamie Moreno is currently in his first year at the helm of the cross country and track and field programs after being hired on Aug. 18 to replace Adrian Myers.
“His leadership as a head coach will touch every cross country and track and field athlete, helping them to accomplish their goals,” Teaberry said in the Aug. 18 news release announcing Moreno’s hiring.
2021 action for all Huskie track athletes came to a close at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where then-redshirt junior Ashley Tutt finished 22nd with a time of 33:58.63. Tutt transferred to Iowa State University following the season to spend her final two years of track and field eligibility.
With the regular season now back in swing, NIU’s roster currently boasts two freshmen after adding Joy Jackson from North Aurora and Emma Varpagel from Hartland, Wisconsin during the offseason.
NIU has competed in three events thus far, opening the season on Dec. 11 at the Jimmy Grant Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa. The season-opening meet saw the Huskies win three events. Senior Taylor Ramsey earned the top spot in the high jump, senior Jazmyn Smith championed the long jump and sophomore Kennedy Crawford ran to victory in a 600-meter run.
The Huskies followed up on their season debut in Iowa with seven event victories at the Grand Valley State University Bob Eubanks Open on Jan. 15. Senior Kadeja Campbell emerged as the victor in the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Graduate Kenyae Majors and senior Katrina Small also led NIU to a pair of wins on jumps.
At their most recent outing at the Illini Invitational in Champaign on Jan. 22, NIU took home four event titles. The Huskies won two meter races, with junior Jahnetta Jones winning the 200 and Vorpagel claiming the 800. Sophomore Scout Regular earned first place in the 60-meter hurdles and Majors headed up the triple jump category.
The Huskies will see their next action Friday as they travel to South Bend, Indiana, to compete in the Meyo Invitational.
