(LEBANON, Ill., March 23)—The McKendree University women's track and field team opened its 2015 outdoor season over the weekend at the Alabama Relays.
 
The Bearcats made their biggest impact of the meet in the distance medley relay, where the team placed ninth overall in a final time of 12:20.81. The quartet that represented McKendree in the race included seniors Hannah Inyart (Belleville, IL/Belleville East) and Christine Cunningham (St. Jacob, IL/Triad), junior Christine Ackermann (Aschaffenburg, Bavaria/Dalberg-Gymnasium) and sophomore Karis Johnson (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence Central).
 
In the 400-meter dash, Ackermann registered a time of 1:01.45, while Johnson was clocked at 1:03.12. In the 1,500-meter run, Inyart was the top finisher for the Bearcats at 4:48.91, while Cunningham crossed the finish line in a time of 4:57.42.
 
McKendree will return to action Friday at the Washington University Invitational in St. Louis, followed by the Central Methodist University Open on Saturday in Fayette, Mo.