Gustavus senior Janey Helland has been named MIAC Field Athlete of the Week for her performance in the pentathlon at the MSU, Mankato Invitational on January 28-29.
Helland, who finished first in a strong field in the pentathlon at MSU, Mankato with a total of 3,503 points, 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 eighth 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).
Helland, who finished ninth at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships in the pentathlon, will now get a chance to better that finish this year. Her total of 3,503 from last weekend, would have placed her second at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships behind the winning total of 3,555. The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 11-12 at the Capital Center on the campus of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.