Marion, Indiana - The women's track and field team began competition today at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The three day meet is being contested on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University. The Saints battled through the cold, rain, wind and some quality competition on day one of the championships.

The Saints competed in a pair of events and were led by the women's 4x800 meter relay. The quartet of Cadence Schultz, Ella Koons, Amber Koole, and Lauren Wooer combined to run a  9:22.01 to finish eighth in the preliminary round.  The effort was good enough to advance the ladies to tomorrow's final.  Aquinas also saw its first ever competitor in the women's heptathlon. Lindsey Strutz is currently in 13th place with 2,634 points after day one. Her marks included: 100 m hurdles (17.61), high jump (1.56 m), shot put (12.22), and 200 meters (26.66). She will resume competition tomorrow with the long jump, javelin, and the 800 meters.

The women will also compete in the pole vault (Shaily Baynes) and the 5000 meters (Madison Rempalski) on Thursday.