(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 17)—The McKendree University women's track and field team returned to action Friday evening at the Illiana Invitational hosted by Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill.
 
The Bearcats collected a total of 11 top-five finishes at the event, including a pair of first-place efforts. Sophomore Karis Johnson (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence Central) brought home top honors in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:21.58, while senior Hannah Inyart (Belleville, IL/Belleville East) won the 5,000-meter run as she crossed the finish line in 20:04.28. Inyart also brought home fourth place in the mile run with a time of 5:22.60.
 
Freshman Ciara Jones (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) earned two top-five efforts on Friday. Jones was second in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 8.86 seconds, while she grabbed third in the triple jump with a distance of 10.75 meters.
 
In the sprints, freshman Jayda Hill (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) was fourth in the 55-meter dash with an effort of 7.61 seconds, while sophomore Lashawntianna Brown (Chicago, IL/Northlawndale College Prep) was right behind in fifth place at 7.64 seconds. Sophomore Nicole Dentzman (Springfield, IL/Lanphier) placed fifth in the 200-meter dash as she crossed the finish line in 26.35 seconds.
 
Sophomore Samantha Lenz (Brookfield, IL/Lyons Township) earned second place in the 5,000-meter run at 24:06.85. Senior Christine Cunningham (St. Jacob, IL/Triad) notched third place in the 800-meter run as she posted a time of 2:28.76, while junior Christine Ackermann (Aschaffenburg, Bavaria/Dalberg-Gymnasium) took third in the 600-meter run at 1:42.07.
 
The Bearcats' 4 x 400-meter relay team collected a third-place finish with a combined time of 4:16.54. Ackermann, Dentzman, Johnson and sophomore Melissa Calcara (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) comprised the relay team for McKendree.
 
Next up for McKendree is the John Craft Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 24. The day-long meet is being hosted by Eastern Illinois University.