Release written by Matt Higgins, MIAC Assistant Executive Director
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Gustavus thrower Sarah Swanson (Fairbanks, Alaska) won not once, but twice, with a pair of spectacular performances last weekend at the St. Olaf Invite. The Gustie senior finished first in both her events – the shot put and weight throw – with distances that rank among the top two in the MIAC this season. For her performance, the MIAC sports information directors honored Swanson Wednesday with the MIAC Women’s Indoor Field Athlete-of-the-Week award.
Swanson’s two wins highlighted a second-place finish for the Gusties against MIAC foes St. Olaf, St. Thomas and Bethel, with her top performance coming in the shot put. She won the event with a distance of 43-2.5 (13.17 meters), which ranks No. 1 in the MIAC this season and 13th in all of Division III. She also claimed victory in the weight throw with a toss of 46-6.25 (14.18 meters). That performance currently ranks No. 2 in the MIAC, less than a foot behind the leader.
The Gusties and Swanson will try to keep the impressive performances coming as they take a step up in competition this weekend. Gustavus will make the short trip to Mankato, Minn., to compete at Division II Minnesota State-Mankato’s Ted Nelson Classic Saturday at 11 a.m. After that, the Gusties will head to Northfield, Minn., on Feb. 13 to compete in Carleton’s Meet of Hearts.