The Gustavus women’s track and field team opened its 2011 indoor season at Minnesota State University, Mankato on Friday and Saturday, January 28-29. The Gusties were led by Janey Helland who won the heptathlon with a NCAA qualifying total of 3,503 points and Megan Lundgren who won the 800 meter run in a time of 2:20.48. No team scores were kept at the meet.
Helland’s total of 3,503 broke the Gustavus indoor pentathlon school record of 3,468 set last year by Kaelene Lundstrum. It also automatically qualified her for the NCAA Championships. In addition, Helland’s long jump effort in the pentathlon of 18 feet, 9 1/4 inches also automatically qualified her for the NCAA Championships in that event. Helland’s pentathlon total included an eight place finish in the 60 meter hurdles in a time of 9.91 (729 points), third in the high jump at a height of 5 feet, 3 1/4 inches (747 points), sixth in the shot put with a distance of 32 feet, 2 inches, first place in the long jump (765), and second in the 800 meters with a time of 2:25.85 (746 points).
Megan Lundgren got her indoor season of to a great start with a a first place finish in the 800 meters against a strong field with a time of 2:20.48.
Other top performances for the Gusties included Brooke Beskau finishing fourth in the 3,000 meters (11:01.84), Nevada Wendlandt finishing fifth in the high jump (4-11 3/4), Madeline Schmitz placing sixth in the high jump (4-9 3/4), Anna McDevitt finishing seventh in the triple jump (34-7 3/4), Sam Broderius finishing eighth in the shot put (39-8), Abby Karl placing ninth in the 400 meters (1:01.85), and Erica Roelofs finishing 13th in the pentathlon (2,279 points).