(photos courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports)
MANKATO, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s and women’s track and field teams opened up their 2020 season on Sunday afternoon in Mankato at the MSU-Invite. The men finished the six team meet in third place while the women finished fifth. The meet was made up of four Division II schools, Iowa Central CC and Gustavus.
“It was a great start to the season for the distance crew,” said assistant coach Brenden Huber.”Kourtney [Kulseth] lead the ladies with close to a personal best and a third place finish for her opener. The guys also looked amazing in the 3k with numerous personal bests lead by the trio of Andrew [Stumbo], Ben [Wicklund] and Garet [Grant] placing 2, 3, and 4. We loved the way our team competed today.”
“Rachel Studer had the big hurdle meet that we’ve been waiting for; smashing her previous personal best and matching the school record – we expect to see even more out of her as the season progresses,” said assistant coach Nate Harder. “Taylor Rooney performed well, despite having technically rocky events, placing in high jump, and winning the 60 hurdles. We are excited to see how great he will become when he puts it all together.”
The Black and Gold saw a large contingent of athletes finished near the top of the leaderboards at the meet.
60m hurdles
1. Rooney – 8.06
600m
1. Noah Johnson – 1:24.58 (currently second in MIAC)
4. Brennan Gustafson – 1:26.25
5. Nick Olfert – 1:27.06
800m
4. Corbin Michels – 2:06.68 (currently third in MIAC)
3000m
2. Stumbo – 8:51.09 (currently third in MIAC)
3. Wicklund – 8:51.73
High Jump
4. Rooney – 1.95m (currently tied for first in MIAC)
Shotput
2. Steven Orzolek – 15.24m
WOMEN
60m hurdles
6. Studer – 9.58 (School record, currently fourth in MIAC)
400m
2. Lily Anderson – 1:00.81 (currently second in MIAC)
600m
3. Avery Beyer – 1:51.64
800m
1. Elizabeth Donnely – 2:28.58 (currently second in MIAC)
1000m
2. Tierney Winter – 3:01.35 (currently first in MIAC)
3000m
3. Kulseth – 10:37.79
Weight Throw
7. Katie Keelin – 16.47m (School Record)