This Northern Michigan University quartet of women’s runners set a school record in the 4-by-200-meter relay at the season-opening Karl Schlender Invitational in women’s indoor track and field held in Whitewater, Wisconsin, in January. From left, Ellyse Wolfrath, Ciara Ostrenga, Ahna Larson and Kanya Campbell clocked 1:44.64. Wolfrath, Ostrenga and Larson were part of the Wildcats' trip to Southern California for a series of meets held this weekend. (Photo courtesy NMU)

LOS ANGELES — If you’re a tourist going to a faraway destination, you should try to take in all the sights while you have the chance.

That’s the attitude the Northern Michigan University women’s track and field team is taking on a trip to Southern California. The Wildcats didn’t just head to Los Angeles to take in one meet — a group of 11 of them spread out to four meets on Thursday.

Five were returning for more action Friday and five were also competing today before heading back to the Upper Peninsula.

This group of meets this weekend has been touted as one of the biggest gatherings in college outdoor track and field in the nation, drawing in some of the top athletes nationwide.

Here is a roundup of NMU’s Thursday performances, which included five personal records that were set by the Wildcats:

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Pacific Coast Intercollegiate

At Long Beach, NMU’s Ellyse Wolfrath broke the 14-second mark in the 100-meter hurdles in 13.99 seconds, while adding a 12.47-second time in the 100 dash.

Crystal Walker clocked 14.23 in the 100 hurdles, and was the lone Wildcat taking part in a field event, leaping 5.52 meters (18 feet, 1 3/8 inches) in the long jump.

Ciara Ostrenga, an Escanaba native, set a personal record in the 400 in 58.93 seconds, adding a 25.85 clocking in the 200.

In the 400 hurdles, Ahna Larson finished in the top half of the field in 1:03.09, also clocking 26.52 in the 200.

Each of these Wildcats will be back today for the Beach Invitational also being held in Long Beach.

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ULV Leopard Invite

At La Verne, the University of La Verne hosted this meet as two Northern runners set personal records in the 3,000 steeplechase, Dani Van Lente in 11:19.19 and Emma Sweeney in 11:23.46.

Teammate Skylar Grubb also crushed her personal record by more than 30 seconds in the 10,000 in 36:25.94 to finish runner-up, while NMU’s Sophia Potter was sixth in 37:43.18.

This quartet was scheduled to run the 5,000 on the second day of this meet Friday.

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Bryan Clay Invitational

At Azusa, Northern’s Beverly Harper and Lamar Gordon each had personal records in the 800, Harper in 2:14.73 and Gordon in 2:17.57.

Gordon was set to be back in this meet Friday running the 1,500, while Harper was heading to the Beach Invite today.

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Cal State Twilight

At Los Angeles, the Wildcats’ Alayna Vandegriff finished sixth in the triple jump by leaping 10.95 meters (35-11 1/8).

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the games. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.