Northern Michigan University’s Anya VanSweden makes a “dry” leap over a hurdle in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as some jumps put runners in a water hazard after their jump. This was at a past Wildcats’ outdoor track and field meet held at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. (Photo courtesy NMU)

UNIVERSITY CENTER — Senior Beverly Harper had a hand in both victories posted by the women’s track and field team of Northern Michigan University at the Jet’s Pizza Invitational held at Saginaw Valley State over the weekend.

In all, the Wildcats had nine top-three podium finishers in this nonscoring meet for teams.

Harper won the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 14.31 seconds on Saturday, winning by just seven-hundredths of a second in what was listed as her personal-record time and 21st in NCAA Division II this winter.

Then a day earlier on Friday, Harper joined Wildcats Ashley Choponis, Ella DeBruyn and Madi Szymanski in winning the 4,000 distance medley relay in 11:59.64, beating out Division I Oakland by more than four seconds.

The other members of that relay were also podium finishers in individual events.

Szymanski finished second in the 3,000 in 10:03.03, while Choponis was runner-up in the mile in 5:01.22, with DeBruyn right behind her less than half a second behind in third in 5:01.66.

Teammate Sophia Potter led a three-woman NMU contingent in the top 10 of the 5,000 — Potter was runner-up in 17:50.34, Dani VanLente sixth in 18:11.35 and Anya VanSweden eighth in 18:22.62.

Another NMU runner, Marquette Senior High School graduate Baux Truckey, was third in the 200 in 25.22 seconds.

Also coming in third was Northern’s 4-by-400 relay in 3:59.55 with Truckey, Lily Phillips, Lana Mac and Harper.

And Crystal Walker was sixth in the 60 hurdles in 8.95 seconds.

In field events, Alayna Vandegriff had NMU’s top finish of third in the triple jump with a leap of 10.62 meters (34 feet, 10 1/8 inches).

Walker was fourth in the long jump with a leap of 5.26 meters (17-3 1/8), while Vandegriff and Kati Smith were part of a six-way tie for fourth in the pole vault after clearing 3.32 meters (10-10 3/4).

Alizabeth Little came in fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.31 meters (40-4 5/8), while in the weight throw, Teiolla Harvey was sixth with 16.27 meters (53-4 1/2) and Manistique product Danielle Lund 10th with 15.02 meters (49-3 1/4).

The Wildcats return to the Saginaw area on Saturday for the W-C-W Tri-Meet that it won a year ago. “W-C-W” stands for the Warriors of Wayne State, Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State and Wildcats of Northern Michigan University.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the meet. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.