Local Athletes Shine: Buwalda and Den Herder Excel at Concordia Twilight Invite

The Dordt Defender women's track & field team competed at the Concordia Twilight Invite in Seward, Nebraska, on May 10. This was their last event before the NAIA National Championships, which start on May 22. Despite having fewer participants, the team performed well, with notable efforts from Shelby Buwalda and Ayda Den Herder.

Shelby Buwalda qualified for the national championships in a second event this season by finishing third in the 400m with a personal best time of 56.68 seconds. This time met the 'A' standard and ranked her 24th in the NAIA heading into the championships.

Ayda Den Herder also performed well, finishing fourth in the 400m with a time of 58.20 seconds and second in the long jump with a distance of 5.53 meters. Her results in these events highlighted her important contribution to the team.

Other team members also contributed, including Makenna Walhof, who placed seventh in the discus with a throw of 38.85 meters. Den Herder, along with Kailee Altena, Shaylee Van Essen, and Lindsay Grau, gained experience by competing in their first open 400m.

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