University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Meyo Invitational
Murgic, Dyson Lead Gophers at Meyo Invite
2/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Feb. 7, 2015
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Katie Murgic finished third in the pole vault, clearing 4.06 meters, and Becca Dyson placed ninth in the 3,000-meter run to lead the Gopher women's track & field team on day two of Notre Dame's Meyo Invitational Saturday afternoon.
Dyson led a charge of four Gophers in the 3,000m. Her time of 9:35.94 marked the fastest by a Gopher so far this season, and Kaila Urick (9:39.10), Haley Johnson (9:52.32) and Madeline Strandemo (10;07.52) all ran career-best times.
"There were some strong performances in the distance group this weekend," director of women's track & field and cross country Matt Bingle said. "They made a lot of progress, but there are still things they can do to execute their race plans better and be more assertive at different points in their races.
"It was great seeing Becca's consistency, and Katie Murgic competed well in the pole vault. Those two especially are on the verge of doing some great things. A lot of kids took another step forward and learned things this weekend."
Stacey Swatek also picked up a career-best time, clocking a 5:00.77 in the mile. Anne Ferguson ran a season-best 5:04.61, and Andie Zeman was just off her season-best in 5:16.22.
In the 800-meter run, Ally McSherry ran a career-best 2:13.20, the fastest 800m on the team this season, and Lauren Domski was close behind her in a season-best 2:13.55.
On Friday, the Gophers' distance medley relay team of Swatek, Zeman, Ferguson and McSherry finished sixth in 11:43.49. Three Gophers earned career-best marks: Danielle Anderson (16:57.60) and Jamie Piepenburg (17:11.93) in the 5,000-meter run and Lauren Domski (1:33.70) in the 600-meter run.
"Overall, this whole weekend, I thought everybody responded well to a higher level of competition and stuck their heads in there and fought," Bingle said. "There are still some things we can improve on and do better, but it was a good team effort, especially in a tough environment."
Minnesota's sprinters, jumpers and throwers competed at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb., this weekend.
Along with having representatives at two track meets this weekend, Minnesota had three freshmen race at the 2015 USA Junior Cross Country Championships in Boudler, Colo., on Saturday. Bailey Ness led the way, placing 10th in 23:04. Fellow Gopher rookies Patty O'Brien (23:59) and Emily Castanias (24:02) finished 18th and 19th, respectively.
Most of the Gophers will head to Ames, Iowa, for the Iowa State Classic next weekend, and those not on the team's travel roster will remain local at the St. Thomas Showcase.
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