The Lewis women’s track and field team is hitting their stride in the 2025 season with eight meets already behind them and 14 more ahead.
As they prepare for their next meet just down the road in Naperville, the Flyers are looking to build on their first-half performances and continue their dominance.
Led by longtime head coach Dana Schwarting, who has been guiding the Flyers since 2005 and secured 20 GLVC titles across women’s indoor and outdoor track. The team has their sights set on a sixth consecutive conference title.
Distance Runners
Lewis houses one of the best distance squads in the nation, finishing sixth in the country during the 2024 cross country season.
In the women’s 5K alone, Lewis runners hold 13 of the top 16 performances in the GLVC, making them key point scorers and a dominant force in the conference.
Top-ranked distance runners include Hannah Smrcka, No. 6 nationally in the 5K, and Abigail Kozak, No. 18 nationally in the 5K. Other national-level performers include Naylah Allen and Sarah May, both of whom have hit NCAA Provisional marks.
In the mile, Anna Kozak and Sarah May are also nationally ranked, adding even more depth to an already elite group.
“This is the best distance squad in the GLVC,” Schwarting said.
Jumpers
Long Jump & Triple Jump
The Flyers bring back a strong jumping squad, led by junior Denise Hernandez, a top returner who has made multiple national championship appearances. She currently sits ranked No. 5 in the country for the long jump and earned All-Conference honors in 2024.
Incoming freshman Katerina Kakavelaki, a standout from Greece, has already made an impact in her first collegiate season. She hit an indoor lifetime PR of 5.64m in the long jump, with Schwarting expecting her to be “another big points scorer at the conference meet.”
Kaitlyn Hutchinson is another key contributor in the jumps. “She’s going through a lot of transitions,” Schwarting said. “I see her as our third long jumper that’s going to take some steps forward and help us at the conference championship as well.”
High Jump & Pole Vault
Brynlee Keeran, who earned All-Conference honors in 2024, is the team’s top pole vaulter and currently sits ranked No. 14 nationally.
In the high jump, Karmen Kurowicka, a sophomore, is ranked in the top 20 nationally and is pushing to break into the top 18 to qualify for nationals.
Pole vault remains one of the Flyers’ strongest events, with three other female vaulters ranked in the top 10 of the GLVC, making them key scorers for the conference championships.
Throwers
The Flyers feature four throwers, with senior Aubrey Brinkman standing out as the team’s most accomplished returner. She was a national qualifier in discus in 2024 and currently holds the team’s top marks in weight throw, discus, and shot put.
“We expect her to score some points for us at the conference championships,” Schwarting said.
The other three throwers are in the development phase, working to break into the conference championship lineup and strengthen the team’s depth in the coming seasons.
Sprinters
The Flyers lost two of the best sprinters in program history last season. Khristel Martindale transferred to the University of Central Florida, while Rose Ogbuli graduated, leaving big shoes to fill in the sprinting events.
This season, Faith Wyman steps up as the team’s top 200m-400m sprinter, while Rebecca Cravedi leads in the 60m dash.
Denise Hernandez, while also excelling in the long jump, has posted strong performances in the 60m dash, proving to be a valuable multi-event contributor.
Hurdlers
Redshirt freshman Caitlyn O’Boyle has made an impact in her return, currently ranked No. 4 in the conference in the hurdles.
Sophomore Karmen Kurowicka, who also competes in the high jump, is ranked No. 10 in the conference in hurdles.
“They’re young and holding down the hurdlers for the side,” Schwarting said.
Looking Ahead: A New Challenge in the GLVC
While the Flyers remain one of the top teams in the conference and have been for many years, they will face a new challenge this season with Lincoln University of Missouri joining the GLVC. Lincoln is currently ranked in the top 15 nationally, making them a serious contender for the conference title.
“Lincoln creates a new challenge that we haven’t had to deal with the last few years, so that will be a lot of fun to see how we stack up with them,” Schwarting said.
Lewis will compete in the GLVC Conference Championships from Feb. 28 to Mar. 1, where they will look to defend their title and continue their reign as the team to beat.
Photo Credits: Marco Castañón
