Graceland Women Gain Momentum at Mule Relays

Warrensburg, Mo. — The Graceland University women's outdoor track and field team returned to the oval this past weekend at the 2025 Central Missouri Mule Relays, producing several season-best marks across a range of disciplines. Competing against a competitive field of NCAA Division II, NAIA and junior college programs, the Yellowjackets made notable improvements as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships approach.

Graceland's sprints and hurdles groups led the effort, highlighted by junior Ambar Fulgencio, who competed in the 100-meter hurdles, placing ninth overall with a wind-aided time of 15.49 seconds. Her time marked her second-fastest effort of the outdoor season.

In the women's 400-meter hurdles, senior Jacey Lewis recorded a time of 1:16.46. The long sprinter has been a consistent entry in the intermediate hurdle group all season.

The Jackets also gained critical race repetitions in the distance events. First-year athlete Caitlin Grover recorded a time of 13:22.36 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing 18th overall, competing against a field heavily composed of upperclassmen. Freshmen Sierra Davenport (6:17.44) and Anna Sweeting (6:49.07) added efforts in the 1,500 meters, continuing their growth over middle distances.

Senior Lidya Haile did not finish her section of the 1,500 meters but is expected to return for next weekend's meet.

"We use meets like this to sharpen our execution and test ourselves against stronger competition," said head coach Quinton Harley. "This group continues to commit to the process. We have a number of first- and second-year athletes who are seeing their training translate into more competitive performances."

The Graceland relays squads did not compete at this weekend's Mule Relays, but the Yellowjackets anticipate fielding full teams for the upcoming DeBacker Invitational.

Field event athletes were inactive this weekend, but Harley confirmed that jumps and throws personnel will be re-integrated next week in Cedar Rapids.

As the Yellowjackets push toward the end of the regular season, the development of the younger roster continues to be the focus.

"The level of buy-in we're seeing is encouraging," Harley said. "When you have freshmen and sophomores willing to toe the line every weekend and learn through racing, the future is bright for this program. This meet was another step in that direction."

NEXT UP: Graceland heads to the Mount Mercy DeBacker Invitational on Saturday, April 19, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The meet is the final regular-season tune-up before conference championships.

For more information on Graceland track and field and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.