CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Women's Outdoor Track & Field teams competed in week two of the 2026 season.

Athletes of the Week: 
Women's Sprints/Hurdles Athlete of the Week:
Olivia Sparks (Lexington, Ky.) Transylvania University | Sprints | Junior - Olivia Sparks had a great day at the Jim Vargo Invitational setting new PBs and Transylvania school records in the 400m and the 200m. She took the win in the 400m running 56.11, a PR of over 1.5 seconds, and also ran 24.92 over 200m. Her marks are both second all-time in HCAC history and currently place her sixth in the NCAA for 400m and 12th for 200m.

Notable Performances:
Sprints/Hurdles

• Katie Ripberger (Falmouth, Ind.) Anderson University | Hurdles | Sophomore - Katie Ripberger won the 100m hurdles and the 400m hurdles and now sits fourth and third in the HCAC, in each respective event.
• Kristin Fischli (St. Petersburg, Fla.) Berea College | Sprints | Senior - Kristin Fischli had a senior day to remember. Kristin ran a personal best of 59.64 to win the open the 400m. She followed that up by leading her mixed 4x400m relay to a win, splitting another 59-second 400 and winning the event by nearly nine seconds. 
• Sophie Minnick (North Liberty, Ind.) Manchester University | Sprints | Sophomore - Sophie Minnick ran 12.98 in the 100m, setting a .38-second PR. She also ran a 26.60 in the 200m, which was also a PR. Minnick was also part of the team that ran 50.31 in the 4x100m. These times are fifth, fifth and second in the HCAC this year, respectively.
• Sydney Williams (Norwood, Ohio) Manchester University | Sprints | Junior - Sydney Williams posted runner-up finishes in both the 100m (13.04) & 200m (27.60) dashes with personal bests in both. She also anchored the winning 4x100m relay team (51.55).
• Rose Talbert (Monticello, Ill.) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Sprints | Junior - Rose Talbert was exceptional in the Fightin' Engineers Spring Classic, picking up two event wins in the sprint events. She placed first in the 200m dash with a time of 25.38 and the 400m dash with a time of 57.26. Both of her times in the 200 and 400 rank second in the conference this season. Her 200 time ranks 34th in the nation, and her 400 ranks 21st in all of NCAA Division III.

Around the League:
HCAC Women's Track & Field Schedule