Northern Michigan University's Crystal Walker competes in a hurdles race during an outdoor meet this spring. (Photo courtesy NMU)

By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — A pair of sophomores from the Northern Michigan University women’s track and field team have been named to the Midwest All-Region Team by a U.S. track coaches group.

The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association names the top five individuals in individual events and top three relays in those events from each region for all-region honors.

Akirah Venerable of Kansas City, Mo., was selected in the 400-meter hurdles after she set the NMU record at the GLIAC Championships with a time of 1 minute, 1.67 seconds, taking second in the conference finals.

She had already set the school record less than a week before in 1:02.99 at the Drake Alternative Meet.

Crystal Walker of Portmore, Jamaica, was chosen in the long jump after she set the Wildcats record of 5.92 meters (19 feet, 5 inches) at the Carius-Gregory Invitational.

That tied the school record she already held from the indoor track and field season that was set this past winter.

The USTFCCCA website at https://www.ustfccca.org/2023/05/featured/2023-ncaa-division-ii-outdoor-track-field-all-region shows a full list of men’s and women’s honorees.

From the GLIAC in women’s track, the coaches group lists one athlete from Lake Superior State, two from Wayne State, five athletes in 12 events from Saginaw Valley State, and 18 athletes in 28 events from Grand Valley State on the list.

A number of athletes from former GLIAC schools, such as Hilldale, Findlay and Walsh, also made the list.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.