Track & Field Competes at St. Olaf Invitational

The Gustavus men’s and women’s track & field teams competed at the St. Olaf Invitational on Saturday and came away with a number of victories and one school record. 

MEN’S RESULTS | WOMEN’S RESULTS

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s and women’s track & field teams competed at the St. Olaf Invitational on Saturday and came away with a number of victories and one school record.

For the women, ranked No. 12 in the latest USTFCCCA poll, Birgen Nelson (Sr., Edina) won the 60-meter with a school record time of 7.68, which ranks second in Division III this season. Nelson’s time broke McKayla Stowell’s previous record of 7.76 in 2018. Nelson also won the 200-meter in 25.61 with teammate Megan Geraets (So., Mankato) and Kate Carlson (So.) going two-three in 26.22 and 26.73. Danielle Miller (Jr., Waconia) won the 60-hurdles, clocking in at 9.41, while Lauren Dimler (Fy.) was second in 9.61.

Geraets took second in the 400-meter with a time of 1:00.19. Kailyn Walukus (So., Eau Claire, Wis.) finished second in the 1000-meter at 3:19.73 with Julia Severson (Sr., St. Cloud) right behind in 3:23.95. The 4×400 relay team of Miller, Isabel Fynboh (Fy.), Dimler, and Lauren Rocheford (Fy., Inver Grove Heights) took second in 4:17.87.

In the field, Annika Poe (Sr., Big Lake) won the shot put with a distance of 14.38 meters, which ranks second in Division III this season and is just a quarter inch shy of the school record. Ally Rakow (Jr., Bloomington) picked up a win in the high jump with a height of 1.50 meters. Sarrah Linder (Fy.) took third in the long jump, clearing 5.09 meters. Madi Kes (Jr., Jordan) was next at 5.07 meters. Kes also took third in the triple jump at 11.25 meters.

On the men’s side, Markus Rupnow (So., Mankato) won the 600-meter, crossing the line in 1:25.98. Tyler Smith (So., Norwood Young America) took first in the 1000-meter with a time of 2:35.26. Tucker Wallin (Sr., Red Wing) finished third in the 800-meter at 1:59.92. Wyatt Quiring (Sr., Fairmont) finished third in the 200-meter with a time of 22.68 and fourth in the 400-meter at 51.11.

In the field, Josh Beiswanger (Sr., Mankato) won the weight throw with a heave of 16.43 meters. Danny Bies (So., New Hope) won the high jump with a clearance of 1.85 meters.

“I’m very excited about the throwers this season,” throws coach Tom Thorkelson said. “We brought a small group to the meet but they performed really well. Josh was our only male entrant but he easily won the weight throw with a personal best. Grace and Kelly had season bests in the shot put to place fourth and eighth and Annika was phenomenal in winning the shot put with a lifetime best throw of 14.38. Annika is way ahead of last year’s All-American performances both indoor and outdoor.”

The Gusties next compete at the University of Nebraska Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational on Feb. 3-4 and the MSU-Mankato Ted Nelson Classic on Feb. 4.