COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s track and field team competed at the CSB-SJU Invitational Saturday at the Donald McNeely Spectrum.
“We were a little banged up today, some with injuries and others with illness, which kept a few out of the competition today,” Head Coach Dale Bahr said.
A trio of first place finishes highlighted the day for the Gusties. Sarah Swanson (Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska) won the shot put with a toss of 43-6.5, Lydia Hayes (So., Decorah, Iowa) took the gold in the one-mile at 5:25.46, and the 4×200-meter relay team of Maddison Ackiss (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska), Jalia Anderson (Fy., Plymouth, Minn.), Kaitlin Bembenek (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) and Ashley Elford (So., Red Wing, Minn.) crossed the line in 1:51.45. Swanson also took second in the weight throw with a distance of 48-9.5.
“Sarah Swanson continues to dominate the MIAC with her throws,” Bahr said. “And I was really impressed with Lydia Hayes winning the mile after her first time running it.”
Courtney Branch (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) and Abbie Schnabel (Fy., Hamburg, Minn.) each garnered silver in their respective events – Branch in the 1000-meter (3:11.43) and Schnabel in the 800-meter (2:24.15). Third place finishes went to Mikaela Algren (Jr., Prior Lake, Minn.) in the 800-meter (2:24.77), Mallory Butchko (Fy., Elko, Minn.) in the high jump (4-10.25), Jordan Schwakopf (Fy., New Prague, Minn.) in the 400-meter (63.31), Lauren Shurson (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn.) in the 5000-meter (19:03.79), and the 4×400-meter relay team of Ackiss, Hayes, Schnabel and Algren (4:18.01).
Other notable finishes include:
Emily Sands (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) – fourth in the 5000-meter (19:12.61)
Butchko – fifth in the pole vault (9-8)
Ackiss – fifth in the 200-meter (27.81)
Rachel Mohr (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) – fifth in the 3000-meter (12:00.09)
Kara Helgeson (Sr., Ortonville, Minn.) – fifth in the shot put (37-5)
Megan Eckberg (So., Gaylord, Minn.) – sixth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.83)
“Over the next week we just need to get healthy and sharpen up a bit,” Bahr said. “I’m a little frustrated with the illnesses and injuries, but proud of those that had good performances today.”
Gustavus returns to the track next Friday at Macalester for its final tune-up before the MIAC Championships held March 3-5.