Northern Michigan University’s Alayna Vandegriff runs for her start in the triple jump at a Wildcats’ outdoor track and field meet in the 2025 spring season. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — Open the doors, the women’s track and field team at Northern Michigan University is coming outside!

The Wildcats finished their indoor season on March 1 at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Championship, placing fifth among nine teams.

NMU began the outdoor season Friday at the Joyce Morton-Kief Invitational at Illinois State in Normal, Illinois, though it sounds like the vast majority of events will be held today, 11 a.m. EDT for field events and 1 p.m. EDT for those on the track.

In addition, five Northern throwers will take part in today’s Big Blue Outdoor Opener hosted by Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.

Fans can follow @NMU_Track_Field and @NMU_Wildcats on X for updates leading up to and during events, or visit the Wildcats athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the women’s track and field schedule for links to live results and a preview.

At the GLIAC indoor finals, NMU had eight top-three medalists, including a runner-up finish from Alayna Vandegriff and four third-place finishes, including Beverly Harper with one in an individual event and two more in relays.

At last year’s Redbird Challenge, which was Northern’s opening outdoor meet also hosted by Illinois State, the Wildcats tied for second place out of 14 teams on a rainy, windy day.

NMU had three victories, all by seniors. Skylar Grubb won the 5,000-meter run, while Crystal Walker took the 100 hurdles and Ahna Larson the 400 hurdles.

Other Northern podium finishes came by way of Sophia Potter as runner-up in the 5,000, Adelyn Sanders third in the shot put and Dani VanLente third in the 3,000 steeplechase. The Wildcats had another seven top-five finishes, too.

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