WINCHESTER, Va. – Shaking off the rust from winter break, the EMU Track & Field team competed for the first time in 2026 at Kaye & JJ Smith Invitational, hosted by Shenandoah University on Sunday. The Royals acquitted themselves against the likes of host school Shenandoah, Franklin & Marshall, York (Pa.), Hagerstown Community College, and a handful of unattached athletes.
 
Addison Shanholtz headlined the effort on the women's team with a victory in the weight throw, setting a big personal record of 13.61m (44'8").

Highlights

• SPRINTS
  • 60m Dash: Nia Boyd finished 11th in a time of 8.92.
  • 200m Dash: Boyd also led EMU in the 200m, completing one lap of the indoor track in 30.68.
  • 400m Dash: A pair of dual sport athletes represented the Royals in this event. Peyton LaCombe, also of member of the women's soccer team, clocked in a 1:13.98 to place 10th, while field hockey player Eve Detter was right behind her in 11th in 1:25.81.
• DISTANCE
  • 800m Run: Elili Asefa finished fourth overall in a time of 2:32.20.
  • Mile Run: Sarah Wheeler placed runner-up in the mile with a time of 7:05.61.
  • 3000m Run: Erin Loker completed the longest event of the meet in a personal record time of 11:23.50, finishing fourth overall.
• RELAYS
  • Distance Medley Relay: The relay team of Asefa, Lacombe, Claire Hurst and Loker combined for a time of 14:08.78 to finish second.
• JUMPS
  • High Jump: Faith Schultz finished fourth, clearing the bar at 1.41m (4'7.5").
  • Long Jump: Schultz completed her double in the jumps with another fourth-place showing, landing in the sand pit at 4.78m (15'8.25").
• THROWS
  • Shot Put: Shanholtz and Emma Greer both achieved personal bests for the indoor shot put, placing seventh and eighth respectively with throws of 9.14m (30'0") and 9.05m (29'8.25").
  • Weight Throw: Shanholtz's winning throw vaulted her to second in EMU history for the weight throw, besting her previous PR by nearly two meters. Lily Gatesman and Greer also made the finals in weight throw, placing sixth and seventh, respectively.

 
What's Next
EMU Track & Field will head south on I-81 for the Finn Pincus Invitational, hosted by Roanoke College this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17.