Ellingson, Bak pace Simpson at Cornell

MT. VERNON - Catie Ellingson won the mile and Kinsey Bak won the high jump, leading Simpson at the Cornell Hilltop Invitational on Saturday.

In all, Simpson won three events on the day, adding a first-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay.

"I thought it was another good improvement for us," head coach Dave Cleveland said. "We are taking steps in the right direction. The kids who need to perform well are on the right track and the young kids are getting valuable experience."

For the second time this season, Ellingson provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the mile, setting a Small Events Center record with a 5:01.01. Bak also provisinally qualified, clearing a personal-best height of 5-5 3/4 in winning the high jump. Her effort is tied for the eight-best in the country.

The 4x400 team of Lauren Anderson, Molly Sabers, April Sigmund and Ellingson ran a 4:11.80, besting the seven-team field.

Anderson added a second-place effort in the 55-meter hurdles, turning in a career-best time of 8.60. Annie Hills took third in the 3,000 meters (11:24.85) and Sabers placed fifth in both the 400 (61.58) and 55 hurdles (8.96). Her time in the 400 was a career-best.

Simpson returns to action next weekend when it takes part in the Grinnell Pentathlon and Grinnell Open. The pentathlon takes place Friday, Feb. 11 while the open will be held Saturday.