BIRMINGHAM, Ala (February 18, 2023) - The FIU women's track and field program sits in first place after day one of the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, with 52.5 points - highlighted by a podium sweep from its pole vault group Saturday evening. 

LIVE RESULTS 

Nicole Janse Van Rensburg earned the gold medal in the event with a massive personal best of 4.17m (13'8.25") that bested her previous best mark of 4.00m set earlier this year. Filippa Miller earned the silver medal with a vault of 4.07m, while Kristin Lubeskie took the bronze with a mark of 3.97m. Freshman Morgan Suarez also picked up points for FIU with a mark of 3.67m, good for fifth place. 

"This was a tremendous effort from our pole vault group - you don't see podium sweeps all too often," said head coach Ryan Heberling. "Credit to Coach Sullivan and the group for a tremendous performance today. It's well deserved, and I know they can reach even higher." 

FIU also saw a presence on the podium in the weight throw, with Michaelle Valentin earning a silver medal with a throw of 19.70m, and Elizabeth Alfred taking the bronze with a mark of 19.13m. 

In the 800m prelims, Daira Deicmane qualified for tomorrow's finals with a time of 2:16.58 to finish 8th. 

Fabiola Declet and Maika Cuenca also earned points for FIU, finishing in fifth and sixth in the pentathlon, respectively. 

Sunday's events for FIU will begin at 11 am with the women''s high jump. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU_TRACK on Twitter, @fiu_trackandfield on Instagram and @FIUTrackXC on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.