By: Jeff DeGraw
The Joliet Junior College track and field teams opened their season at the Snowbird invitational at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. on Saturday.
The Wolves combined for seven national qualifying marks and six school records in their debut for the 2026 season.
On the women's side, freshman Ka'mhary Scott set school records in the 60 meter dash and 200 meter dash with her 200 also hitting the National standard.
Allison Bohounek was part of two school records as she finished second in the 3000 and was joined by Vivian Forte,
Maura Cecich and Gabby Zid in setting a school record in the distance medley relay. Caleigh Werve hit both a school record and national qualifying mark in the pole vault. Isabella Bunting qualified for
Nationals in the shot put and was joined by Olivia Ostrowski in hitting the National qualifying mark in the 400 meters. Ostrowski, Forte, Cecich and Gabby Williams also qualified in the 4X400 relay.
"I was very pleased with the way the women performed, their competitiveness, especially for the first meet of the season," said Wolves coach Jeff DeGraw.
"We have been practicing very well but the first meet is also very interesting to see where everybody's at and how they react to competition. I thought we did very well. We still have a few people who are not healthy and are playing other sports right now, so I believe the women are in a very good position to do well this season."
On the men's side shot putters Kohen Gross and
Jacob Matlock hit the qualifying standard for Nationals.
Nathan Ciarlette let off the distance medley relay and was joined by
Keaton Stroner,
Caleb Kies and
Gavin Carlson in setting a school record.
"Our distance runners picked up where they left off after a successful cross country season with Ciarlette also winning the 3,000 and Carlson placing second in a personal best time," DeGraw said.
"I was impressed with Kies leg of the 800 in the DMR and his split in the 4x400 relay. We still have much work to do and we're missing a few of our better men especially in the short and long sprints. But we are on the right track."
The Wolves will compete at Olivet Nazarene next Friday, January 30th.
