The Valparaiso women’s track and field team opened the 2012 Horizon League Outdoor Championships from Milwaukee, Wis. on Friday as two individuals earned sixth-place finishes in event finals.

On the track, freshman Jessica Richardson (Columbus, Ind./North) came up less than a second short of moving into third position on Valpo’s all-time chart in the 10,000m run, settling for a 20-second PR and improving upon her fifth-best time in Valpo history.  Richardson crossed the line in 37:57.95 for her sixth-place finish, earning the Crusaders one point.

Valpo also registered a point on the infield in the javelin throw, as freshman Brooke Hinstorff (Waterloo, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) posted a sixth-place finish with a PR of 106’3”.  Sophomore Sarah Drozdowski (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) finished eighth with a toss of 104’0”, while freshman Sara Greer (Union Mills, Ind./South Central) registered a mark of 92’0” to finish in ninth place.

The Crusaders picked up two points on Friday to sit in sixth place after the first of three days of competition.  Youngstown State paces the team standings currently with 20 points.  Action on Saturday from Milwaukee is slated for a 9 a.m. start.