University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Parents Day Invite
Gophers Earn Four Titles at Parents Day Invite
2/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS - The Gopher women's track & field team won four event titles as it hosted its final home meet of the season with the Parents Day Invite at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.
The Gophers won three titles in the field events as Audra Winter won the high jump (1.62 meters), Devin Stanford won the weight throw (20.29 meters) and Agnes Esser won the shot put (14.31 meters).
On the track, Anne Ferguson won the 600-meter run in 1:34.63, followed by Andie Zeman in second (1:36.48) and Kate Shelerud (1:36.87) in third as the Gophers took the top three spots. Frances Conlin (1:39.22) was fifth, and Anne Haakenstad clocked a career-best 1:39.71 for seventh as all five Gophers earned top-seven finishes.
Minnesota also took the top three places in the weight throw as Lyndsey Thorpe (18.79 meters) and Ke-ke Burks (17.05 meters) rounded out the top three behind Stanford. Thorpe finished second in the shot put as well (13.03 meters).
"It was a good team effort today," director of women's track & field and cross country Matt Bingle said. "There were lots of positive things in the distance group, and overall we showed consistency. The throwers competed well, and many were close to PRs. Some people had the opportunity to rest, and it was a good family day. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Several mid-distance Gophers had strong performances. In the mile, Taylor Mikkalson led seven Gophers in 5:06.75 for eighth place. Megan Bailey (5:08.41), Chelsea Pettit (5:12.97) and Nicole Heitzman (5:19.94) all ran career-best times, and Tess Wasowicz (5:15.01), Marnie Kinnaird (5:20.66) and Melissa Cabak (5:20.72) each made their season debuts in the mile.
In the 3,000-meter run, Naomi Ollila (career-best 10:39.71) and Rebecca Rethwisch (10:45.41) led the Gophers in ninth and 10th, respectively. Violet Weibel also ran a career-best 3,000m time of 11:13.99 for 15th place.
The Gopher 4x400-meter relay team of Natalie Broome, Conlin, Ferguson and Zeman finished second in 4:00.82 to wrap up the running events.
In other field event action, Kelly Flynn placed third in the long jump at 5.20 meters. Cami Gilson and Katie Murgic led the way in the pole vault as Gilson was second and Murgic was fourth, each clearing 4.07 meters. Alex Flucke and Allie Funk each cleared 3.62 meters, a collegiate-best for Flucke and a career-best for Funk, as well.
Minnesota recognized its 20 graduating seniors, Lisa Bailey, Megan Bailey, Frances Conlin, Lauren Domski, Anne Ferguson, Kelly Flynn, Marnie Kinnaird, Ally McSherry, Rachel Melum, Katie Murgic, Nicole Murphey, Megan Petermann, Chelsea Pettit, Rebecca Rethwisch, Devin Stanford, Stacey Swatek, Sara Tseng, Hannah Trasser, Jessica Waldvogel and Andie Zeman, during Saturday's meet in addition to celebrating the Gopher parents and families.
"It was great recognizing our seniors and all of the parents and families today," Bingle said. "Now we're just looking forward to next week and the indoor Big Ten championship. We're in a good spot. Everybody is as healthy as they've been all year, and they had a great week of practice this week."
Next weekend, the Gophers travel to the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, for the 2015 Big Ten Indoor Championships on Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28. Day one action includes finals for women's pole vault, shot put, long jump, 3,000-meter run and distance medley relay, along with pentathlon. Minnesota placed fourth at the 2014 indoor B1G meet.
Two-day passes are available for $20 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and retired military. Single-day passes are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and retired military. Active military and children five and under receive free admission. On-site parking is available for $5 as well.
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Players Mentioned
