Track & Field 2k22: Northern Kentucky Preview

Yes it is early, but we are kicking off the "Track & Field 2k22" season. The theme of the season is "Rise of the Woman." The meaning of the theme is that it is simply time. It is time for women's sports to have a serious space in the minds of sports fans. We are not comparing women's sports to men's sports. Women's sports are unique and show everyone that times are progressing and anything is possible.

Northern Kentucky finished fourth at the Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It also finished in the same spot in the Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Championships.

The Norse are led by sprinter Lynsey Shipley who won the 400 meters outdoor conference championship for the second straight time. She also finished as the runner-up in the 200 meters. Shipley won gold as a member of the 1,600-meter relay squad that won the Horizon League outdoor title for the second straight season as well.

In 2021 Shipley won the 1,600-meter relay with Andrea Armstrong, Erika Nageleisen and Megan Sullivan. She also earned a silver medal in the 400-meter relay with Armstrong, Emily Phillips and Jailyn Ross. During the indoor season Shipley was third in the 400 meters at the Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Championships.

The previously mentioned Andrea Armstrong also scored points for Northern Kentucky in the 400 meters at the Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a fifth place finish. She got her first collegiate open wins when she won the 100 meters and 200 meters at the Ohio Cherry Blossom Invitation.

Megan Sullivan gave Northern Kentucky a fifth place finisher at the Horizon League outdoor meet. She proved to be effective for the program in the 400 meters as well. During indoor season she placed seventh in the 400 meters at the Horizon League indoor final. She won the 400 meters at the John Gartland Invitational during her first indoor meet of 2021. It was also her first collegiate open win.

Senior Maddie Frey returns after a second place finish in the 3,000 meters steeplechase at the Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Her time of 10:52.11 was a drastic improvement from her 12th place time of 11:46.37 back in 2019.

The previously mentioned junior Erika Nageleisen should be a force of the Horizon League in the 800 meters. Her best collegiate finish was a second place result at the John Gartland Invitational.

Northern Kentucky lost 2019 Horizon League outdoor hurdles champ Kayla Thompson due to graduation. She had a rough final season due to injury but throughout her career Thompson was one of the best hurdlers in the Horizon League. She placed second at the 2021 indoor conference championship meet in the 60-meter hurdles. She was also a capable long jumper during her time with the Norse.

Other competitors to watch for the 2022 season include Mikela Aynedjian, a 1,500 and 3,000 meters runner from the country of Cyprus. Louisville native Tahlea Harris is an up and coming hurdler, while Jailyn Ross of Indianapolis, Indiana and Shaina Rutledge of Gahanna, Ohio look to make noise in the sprinting events.

Senior Emily Phillips is another Northern Kentucky sprinter. The Hamilton, Ohio native, who we mentioned won a silver medal at the 2021 Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Championships, was also on the runner-up 400-meter relay team at the 2019 outdoor conference meet.

The previous story is brought to you by Track Stars App.

Download Track Stars App for free on iPhone by clicking the link below:

Download Track Stars App for free on Android by clicking the link below: