SALEM, Va. – EMU Track & Field's 2025-26 indoor slate continued this weekend with a two-day meet at the Finn Pincus Invitational, hosted by Roanoke College in Salem, Va. The meet gave the Royals a chance to compete against much of their ODAC competition, including athletes from Hollins, Lynchburg, Randolph, Roanoke, and Sweet Briar.
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For the women, the distance runners had a great couple of days in Virginia's Championship City. The highlight of the weekend came in Friday night's 3000-meter run when the Royals had a 1-2-3 finish, led by winner
Lauren Kauffman, who crossed the finish line in a personal record time in 11:17.67.
Erin Loker also ran a PR of 11:20.08 to place second, while
Elili Asefa set a personal best time as well at 11:54
Highlights
- SPRINTS
- 200m Dash: Nia Boyd was the top Royal in this event, sprinting one lap of the track in 30.51. Â
- 400m Dash: Peyton LaCombe ran a new PR of 1:10.47 to take home 13th place in the 400m.
- 600m Dash: LaCombe also led the way in the 600m, clocking in at 2:00.74. Claire Hurst also placed top 10, coming home in eighth with a time of 2:07.84. Eve Detter claimed 11th place in 2:19.08.
- DISTANCE
- 800m Run: Elili Asefa made the podium, finishing third in a time of 2:33.92.
- Mile Run: Erin Loker took home third place, completing the eight-lap event in 5:37.38. Sarah Wheeler broke the seven-minute barrier for the first time, cross the line in 6:38.10.
- 3000m Run: Loker also ran a personal record of 11:20.08 to place second, while Asefa set a personal best time as well at 11:54.59 to take third.
- THROWS
- Shot Put: Addison Shanholtz set a new personal record mark of 9.51m (31'2.5").
- Weight Throw: Shanholtz finished 11th with a throw of 12.44m (40'9.75"), followed by Emma Greer in 18th with a mark of 11.64m (38'2.25").
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What's Next
EMU Track & Field will split up between two meets next weekend. Some athletes will stay local by competing at the Shane Stevens Winter Invitational in Penn Laird, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 24. A second group will travel out-of-state for the JDL Fast Track Banked is Better Invitational on Sunday, Jan. 25.
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