Gustavus Adolphus track and field standout Janey Helland continued to rake in the honors this week, earning MIAC Field Athlete of the Week Honors after her outstanding performances at the Wartburg Select and UW-River Falls Invite to kick off the outdoor season. Helland, an All-American who was named the MIAC’s Most Outstanding Field Athlete and the USTFCCCA’s Central Region’s Field Athlete of the Year during the indoor season, has already provisionally qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the heptathlon and long jump.
Helland rode the momentum she gained during the indoor season into her first outdoor meet of the year at the Wartburg Select. Helland won the heptathlon with an NCAA provisional score of 4,407. Her score is currently the best in the MIAC and it ranks fifth in NCAA Division III. She recorded first place marks in the 800-meter run (2:25.84), high jump (5’ 2.50”), and long jump (17’ 03.50”) segments of the heptathlon.
This past weekend at the UW-River Falls Invitational, Helland tallied a win in the long jump with an NCAA provisional mark of 18’ 4.50”. Her leap last weekend ranks seventh in the nation and is tops in the MIAC. Helland also took top honors in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 65.7 at the meet.
The Mapleton, Minn. native will look to continue her success on her home track Saturday, April 16 when Gustavus hosts the 11th Annual Lee Krough Invitational. The meet will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the javelin, men’s shot put, women’s hammer throw, and high jump competitions.