Seven student-athletes named to 2019 All-MIAA Outdoor Track and Field teams
Olivet College’s Lillian Albaugh, Ariel Floyd, Michaela Kaliniak, Kyle McDowell and Chris Womack have been named to the 2019 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Outdoor Track and Field Team. Noah Bailey and Tyler Peck join them on the All-MIAA team for being on the winning 4x400-meter relay team with McDowell and Womack.
FREELAND, Mich. – Olivet College's Lillian Albaugh, Ariel Floyd, Michaela Kaliniak, Kyle McDowell and Chris Womack have been named to the 2019 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Outdoor Track and Field Team. The quintet landed on the team by virtue of winning an event at the 2019 MIAA Field Day. Noah Bailey and Tyler Peck join them on the All-MIAA team for being on the winning 4x400-meter relay team with McDowell and Womack.
Albaugh captured the MIAA title in the shot put with a school-record heave of 44 feet, 3-1/4 inches. She also finished eighth in the discus throw with a mark of 115 feet, 9 inches. Albaugh also won the shot put title at the 2019 MIAA Indoor Championships in February.
"Lillian has had an outstanding freshman year, winning the indoor MIAA shot put title and competing at the NCAA Indoor National Championships," said Olivet head coach Karen Lutzke. "This outdoor season, she has just gotten better each meet and had a huge throw to win her first outdoor MIAA title in the shot put. She comes to compete with the goal to push herself in each throw and was able to have an outstanding performance."
Floyd won the MIAA title in the hammer throw with a mark of 159 feet, 1 inch. She also placed third in the discus throw (131 feet, 7 inches) and eighth in the shot put (37 feet, 11-1/4 inches).
"Ariel had an outstanding meet, as she won the hammer by almost three meters," said Lutzke. "She competed with confidence as she has all outdoor season to win her first MIAA hammer title. Each meet she has been making progress in the ring and still has more room to throw farther in the next few years."
Kaliniak was the MIAA champion in the pole vault, clearing the bar at a school-record mark of 10 feet, 11-3/4 inches. She is now a three-time All-MIAA selection after winning the MIAA indoor pole vault title in 2018 and 2019.
"Michaela stepped up as she has all season and was able to focus on what she needed to do to win her third MIAA pole vault title," said Lutzke. "It is rewarding to see the hard work has paid off the last few years. Next year, we are going to miss her leadership, maturity and knowledge of track and field."
McDowell took first-place in the 400-meter dash in a season-best time of 49.89 seconds.
"Kyle has been very consistent and loves to compete," said Lutzke. "He finished second in the 400-meters at the MIAA indoor championships and that has just motivated him throughout the outdoor season to win the 400-meter outdoor title. Kyle has a lot of range in his ability to compete in a variety of events and this year was just the start of what he is capable of doing in competition."
Womack finished first in the 400-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 55.07 seconds.
"Chris loves the 400-meter hurdles," said Lutzke. "Last year, he finished in the runner-up spot to a teammate. Chris worked extremely hard to make sure he was able to run his best race and come away with the win this year."
Bailey, Peck, Womack and McDowell teamed for a wire-to-wire win in the 4x400-meter relay. Their time was 3:20.38. The relay title was the first for Olivet at the MIAA Field Day since 1978 and only the eighth in school history.
"After winning the MIAA indoor 4x400-meter relay title, the goal was to do the same thing outdoors," said Lutzke. "These young men just went out and raced hard from the gun, never relinquishing their lead. They are amazing and give each of their teammates hope and know when you work hard, the results will happen."