Women's Track and Field | 4/27/2025 9:38:19 PM

RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The women's track and field team at the University of Rio Grande didn't lead for very long at the 2025 River States Conference Track & Field Championships. But just like the events on the track, especially in the distance events dominated by the RedStorm, the finish is what matters.

On their home course, the RedStorm rallied late to claim the conference title, finishing 16 points clear of second place Brescia. Rio Grande took the lead on the third-to-last event, moving ahead on Kylie Montgomery's silver medal finish in the 200 meter dash. The RedStorm then held onto the lead thanks to a second gold medal of the weekend from Amarissa Kerns in the 5000 meters and a second place finish in the 4x400 meter relay. 

The RedStorm claimed seven gold medals on their home course, with six of those coming in events 800 meters or longer. Kerns won both the 5000 meters and the 10000 meters, while Grace Forrest claimed the title in the race walk, an event she currently ranks third in the nation in. Kylie Montgomery won the title in the 400 meters - the shortest winning distance for the RedStorm, and the hosts added a win in the 4x800 meter relay. 

Rio Grande added one of the event's four individual awards, winning the Track Athlete of the Year. Laura Hamm was voted as the standout track athlete of the Championship, claiming the gold medal in both the 800 meters and the 1500 meters. Hamm ends the season as one of the most decorated athletes in the River States Conference, adding her Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year award to her Newcomer of the Year awards in both indoor track and cross country. 

The Field Athlete of the Year award was given to IU Kokomo's Sydney Duncan, who ended the meet with three gold medals, as the national champion won the hammer throw, discus, and shot put. The Newcomer of the Year was St. Mary-of-the-Woods sprinter Kyla Bradberry. Bradberry left no doubt on the status of the top sprinter in the league, winning both the 100 and 200 meter races. The Coach of the Year was Brescia's Sandy Moran, who guided the Bearcats to a conference runner-up finish. 

Following a number of last chance events, athletes from around the conference will turn their attention to the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held again this year on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Qualifying athletes will be announced in May, with action in the Hoosier State set to begin on May 21 and continue through May 23.