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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Battle Conditions, Post Strong Marks at Pacesetter Invitational

Trailblazers Battle Conditions, Post Strong Marks at Pacesetter Invitational
Results
April 4, 2026

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field competed April 3–4 at the Pacesetter Sports Invitational, hosted by Indiana State University, overcoming a variety of weather factors while continuing to build momentum early in the outdoor season. First-year Head Coach Michael Mangan emphasized the environment, saying, "Challenging conditions gave us a great opportunity to show grit and compete. I'm proud of the effort across the board."

Men

The Trailblazers were led on the track by freshman Iheb Slimani, who posted a third-place, personal-best, and national qualifying performance in the 800 meters, running 1:52.86 to move to sixth in program history. Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga noted the race dynamics, saying, "The pace wasn't ideal early, but both Iheb and Anis adjusted well and closed strong to take the top two spots in their heat."

Freshmen Robert Burns (16:02) and Avery Lambirth (16:13) turned in strong performances in both hurdle events, each recording personal bests in the 110-meter hurdles, while Lambirth (58.39), freshman Noah Marshall (1:02.60), and Burns (1:02.87) all posted personal-best efforts in the 400-meter hurdles.

In the field events, sophomore Marshawn Bradley recorded a personal-best 5.62 meters in the long jump, continuing his progression in the event. The throws group showed continued development, highlighted by freshman Nate Robertson's 45.96 meters in the discus, a personal best. Freshman Jesse Huff added a personal-best 13.47 meters in the shot put, while freshman Jared Dunkel recorded a personal-best 34.83 meters in the hammer throw. Steigenga highlighted Robertson's performance, noting, "Nate had a great throw in tough conditions and is getting close to breaking into the program's top-10 list, which includes a lot of All-Americans."

Women

Freshman Ikram Dorai delivered a standout performance in the 5,000 meters, winning the event in 17:45.49 while earning a national qualifying mark and moving to second in program history. Steigenga explained the race approach given the conditions, saying, "With the heat and humidity, the focus was on competing for the win and securing the qualifier rather than chasing a fast time. Ikram executed that plan well."

Sophomore Alexis Hale followed with a strong effort of 19:32.12, while freshman Elizabeth Smith recorded 19:33.97, with both moving into ninth and tenth in program history respectively. "Alexis ran a great race just off her PR in tough conditions," Steigenga said. "She looks poised to take a big step forward this outdoor season."

In the middle distances, freshman Josie Lade posted a personal-best 2:48.56 in the 800 meters, while freshman Cabella Lemberg added a personal-best 2:58.85, breaking the three-minute barrier for the first time. "Josie ran a really smart race and nearly came away with the win in her heat with a big kick," Steigenga said. "Cabella had her best race as a Trailblazer, and breaking three minutes this early in the season is a big step."

Freshman Madison Senne continued her strong progression with a personal-best 5:09.30 in the 1500 meters, improving significantly from the previous week. "Madison had another breakthrough performance, dropping 11 seconds from last week," Steigenga said. "She's learning how to race longer distances and still had a lot left at the end, which is very encouraging."

On the track, freshman Greer Hardin recorded a personal-best 28.99 in the 200 meters and added a third-place finish in the high jump with a clearance of 5'1.25", moving to sixth in program history.

In the field events, freshman Kapri Granger delivered one of the top performances of the weekend, finishing second in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.75 meters, improving her national qualifying mark and moving to fourth in program history. Freshman McKenna Poyser added a 3.15-meter clearance in the event.

Mangan summarized the meet, saying, "This was a solid step forward for our group. We're continuing to improve across events and building toward the next phase of the season."

Vincennes returns to action April 16–17 at the Gibson Invitational (Indiana State University) and April 17–18 at the Indiana Little State Championships (Indiana Wesleyan University), as the Trailblazers split squads for the two meets.

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field squads all year long through a number of ways: