SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The Kenyon College women's track and field team started its indoor season on Saturday, competing at Wittenberg University's Tiger Collegiate Opener. The Owls only competed in five of the 16 events at the unscored meet, but the results were still strong in the limited showing as the squad racked up a first-place finish and four more placements that would have scored points in a traditional setting.

As she so often has over her time at Kenyon, Paula Soric led the way for the Owls. The senior soared to the top of the triple-jump leaderboard, pacing the field in the event. Soric set the high-water mark for the meet with a leap of 11.08 meters (36-4 ¼), and she immediately set the tone in the season's first meet as her very first attempt was her best jump.

Soric's gold-medal showing highlighted a strong day for the Owls in field events. Penelope Artemis made an immediate impact in her first collegiate meet as the first-year found success in both throwing events. In the weight throw, Artemis topped out at 11.75 meters (38-6 ¾) and placed sixth. In the shot put, the first-year paced her flight with a 10.86-meter (35-7 ¾) toss, tying for sixth in the overall field. Both of her best marks came on the third throw.

Sadie Olson rounded out Kenyon's field competitors as the sophomore saw action in both jumping events. The sophomore set a career-best mark in the triple jump, landing 9.56 meters (31-4 ½) out on her final try to clinch eighth place. Olson finished ninth in the long jump, where her best leap measured 4.52 meters (14-10), just four inches short of her career-long.

The 200-meter dash was the only track event in which Kenyon competed, and another first-year had a fine first outing for the Owls. Noa Helmbrecht stopped the clock at 26.83 seconds, claiming eighth place in the overall 31-runner field and second place in her heat. Seniors Talulla Sheridan (28.01) and Alina Secrest (29.06) also ran in the event.

Though the season is officially underway, the Owls will have to wait until the calendar turns over to get back to competing. Kenyon's next outing is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, when the Owls will head to The College of Wooster for the first of two straight weekends at their fellow North Coast Athletic Conference institution.