SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s track & field team placed third out of 12 teams Saturday at the MIAC Outdoor Championships. The Gusties scored 94 points, while St. Thomas won the meet with 137 points.
“Today was a great day for track and field,” Head Coach Aaron Lund said. “With the presence of fans, all conference schools at one place, and great weather conditions, it was a great atmosphere with a meet that finally felt a little bit like normal. There was an infectious energy that helped athletes not only win conference, but establish themselves near the top of the national list in so many different events today. I am proud of this team for their character, passion, hard work, sportsmanship, and will to win. Whether it was fighting for a win, score a point for the team, or beat their seeding going into the meet, I am proud of the way we fought together as a team all the way until the final event.”
The Gusties collected five All-Conference honors throughout the two-day meet. Birgen Nelson (So., Edina) took third in the 200-meter with a time of 25.51 and second in the 100-hurdles at 14.132, falling short by just .001 to the winner. Halley Brocker (Jr., Ankeny, Iowa) placed third in the high jump with a clearance of 5-3.25. On Friday, Doris-Klein Mor (Jr., Saint Peter) took third in the pole vault with a height of 11-3 and Annika Poe (So., Big Lake) placed second in the shot put with a distance of 44-1.25.
Nelson also scored points in the 100-meter, taking fifth with a time of 12.63. Victoria Adebisi scored in the 200-meter, placing sixth in 26.35. Sara Moen (Sr., Blaine) claimed sixth in the 400-meter, crossing the line in 59.83. Elizabeth Donnelly (So., Langely, Wash.) picked up another sixth place finish for the Gusties in the 800-meter with a time of 2:17.70.
In the mid-distance, Josie Blake (Jr., Waukegan, Ill.) placed fifth in the 1500-meter, clocking a time of 4:48.80. Mackinzee Miest (Jr., Saint James) scored in the 5k at sixth place, finishing in 18:31.41 and took fourth in the 10k at 38:12.45. Julia Severson (So., St. Cloud) and Kourtney Kulseth (Sr., New Richland) both scored in the 3000-meter steeplechase, taking fourth and fifth, respectively, in 11:35.73 and 11:43.32.
Madi Kes (Fy., Jordan) took sixth in the long jump with a leap of 16-7.25. Maddie McDermott (Sr., Saint Paul) was one spot shy of All-Conference in the triple jump, taking fourth at 37-1.25. Alexys Guidry (So., White Bear Lake) and Poe scored in the discus. Guidry took fifth at 135-0 and Poe seventh at 122-8.
Gustavus now waits to see if any individuals will be invited to the NCAA Championships.