WINONA, Minn. – For the first time in school history, the Gustavus women won the MIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The Gusties totaled 139 points after day two on Saturday at Saint Mary’s University, clearing second place Saint Benedict by 22 points. The Gustie men took fifth place with 58.25 points.
“We weren’t completely at full strength this weekend but many teams were in our same position,” Head Coach Aaron Lund said. “When it mattered most, we had so many athletes step up and dig deep. Never count out a fighter and the power of the human spirit. This is a really special team and a really special day. This truly was a full team effort. I am so proud of our men’s team, women’s team and this wonderful coaching staff. I am so happy that we could give this moment back to all of our amazing alumni and supports.”
The Gustie women claimed seven event champions on Saturday, highlighted by Birgen Nelson winning both the 100- and 400-hurdles titles. Nelson broke her own conference record in the 100-hurdles with a time of 13.71, which is also a school and facility record, and ranks No. 1 in Division III. She ran the 400-hurdles in 1:00.64, which is a school and facility record, and third in the nation.
Nelson was also a part of the winning 4×100 and 4×400 relays. The 4×100 also included Kate Carlson, Ally Rakow, and Danielle Miller, and finished in 48.34. The 4×400 also included Sydney Hauger, Elizabeth Donnelly, and Makenna Huetten, finishing in 3:55.67. Donnelly also won the 800-meter with a time of 2:12.04.
In the field, Madi Kes won the triple jump with a distance of 11.72 meters. And a day removed from winning the discus title, Annika Poe won the shot put with a heave of 14.31 meters. Poe’s mark is the facility record and seventh best in Division III.
“As someone who has been a part of Gustavus track and field for 37 years, this is a very big deal,” throws coach Tom Thorkelson said. “We’ve had many outstanding individuals and come close to the team championship several times but this group is special. They overcame adversity in the form of terrible spring weather and Covid to do something that no Gustavus women’s team has ever done; hold up the MIAC conference team championship trophy. I’m very proud to be a part this outstanding group of coaches and athletes.”
Along with the seven event champions, other All-Conference performances included Carlson taking third in the 100-meter with a time of 12.35 and second in the 200-meter at 25.55.
Megan Geraets scored in the 400-meter, taking seventh place in 1:00.67. Miller finished the 100-hurdles sixth in 15.47. Huetten took fifth in the 400-hurdles with a time of 1:05.89 while Miller finished seventh in 1:07.66. Molly Weberg took fifth in the 3000-meter steeplechase, clocking in at 11:49.38. Julia Severson took eighth in 12:08.16.
In the field, Caylee Greeder took seventh in the triple jump with a distance of 10.71 meters. Rachel Erickson finished fourth in the javelin with a throw of 37.06 meters.
“Loved the fight from our team this weekend,” Assistant Coach Brenden Huber said. “Both squads really coming together and laying everything on the line. We had a lot of people step up in big ways to move us forward as a group.”
The Gustie men did not have an All-Conference performance but scored in eight different events on Saturday.
The 4×100 and 4×400 relays highlight the day for the Gusties as both relays took second place. The 4×100 team of Isaiah Subah, Dylan Gast, Seth Zeitchick, and Wyatt Quiring finished in 42.31, while the 4×400 team of Zeitchick, Noah Johnson, Tyler Smith, and Quiring crossed the line in 3:19.49.
Quiring also took fifth in the 200-meter at 22.49 and fifth in the 400-meter as well with a time of 49.43. Zeitchick took sixth in the 400 at 50.04. Smith finished fourth in the 800-meter at 1:56.91. Tucker Wallin took fifth in the 1500-meter with a time of 3:59.93. Jack Degonda took seventh in 4:01.57. Sam Schultze clocked a 56.80 in the 400-hurdles for seventh place.
In the field, Joshua Beiswanger took fourth in the hammer throw with a distance of 51.41 meters.
Gustavus now awaits to see the qualifying field for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which take place May 26-28 in Geneva, Ohio.