INDIANAPOLIS - Three members of the IU Indianapolis women's track and field squad collected new personal bests on Friday (Jan. 31) as the Jaguars split efforts between Notre Dame's Meyo Classic and the local Midwest Classic, taking place inside Fall Creek Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 

Three Jaguars headed north to compete in the 5,000m event at Notre Dame in what resulted in a beneficial trip. Graduate Ellie Cates, returning from illness, was tops among the team entries at 17:18.91, placing 23rd of 51 runners spread across two heats. Newcomer Brooke Neal posted a time of 17:41.22 and Julie Smith notched a personal best time of 17:55.33. 

Meanwhile in Indy, the group of hurdlers stole the show in what resulted in two more personal bests. Freshman Pa'Shence Purnell just missed qualifying for Saturday's finals with a time of 9.07 seconds in the 60m hurdles and sophomore Paige Laffoon clocked a personal best time of 9.15 seconds. Junior Morgan Hoard had a huge personal best, crossing at 9.21 seconds to take more than a tenth of a second off her prior best. 

In the 60m dash, newcomer Sa'Mone Winters made her IU Indy debut with a time of 7.78 seconds, just missing a spot in Saturday's finals. In the 200m dash, freshman Jahzara McAlister was just off her personal best time, crossing at 26.20 seconds. 

Freshman Jade Wiese was the team's lone entry in the long jump, registering a best mark of 5.05m (16' 7''). In the high jump, sophomore Journey Howard was the team's top performer, clearing 1.58m (5' 2.25'') on her final attempt. 

The Jaguars will return to action on Saturday at the Midwest Classic, primarily in mid-distance running events.