Led by Seniors Chris deLaubenfels and Laura Edlund, both the Men’s and Women’s squads are looking solid thus far in the indoor season
With the spring sports season just underway, the track and field teams have already participated in five meets, with the most recent being the February 29 Pre-MIAC meet hosted by Carleton. The Gustavus teams put in solid performances on both the men’s and women’s sides, earning a combined total of ten first place finishes. The pre-MIAC meet is an individual-based meet and no team scores were kept.
“Track and Field is unique to most other sports. For all practical purposes we only have two competitions that matter: indoor conference and outdoor conference. We train all year long for these two moments,” said Senior pole vaulter Drew Hood.
On the men’s side, there were first place finishes in four different events. Senior Chris deLaubenfels was able to earn a victory in the 3000 meters (8:37.41) and was named the MIAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week for his efforts.
The relay team comprised of Sophomore Cole Carlson, Junior Tyler Geyen, First-year Matt Leeb and Senior Ben Treichel earned a first place finish in the 4×400 meter relay (3:26.70). In the field events, Hood boosted himself to a first place finish in the pole vault with a height of 13’11 ¼”. Sophomore Brian Anderson also took first in the shot put (45′ 9 ¼”).
The women’s team surpassed the total of the men’s team and recorded six first place finishes.
For the track events, First-year Laura Secor in the 600 meter dash(1:40.62), and the 4×400 relay team consisting of Sophomore Chelsea Craven, First-year Janey Helland, Sophomore Kaelene Lundstrom and Junior Elizabeth Pringle (4:09.35), both secured first place finishes.
In field events, Lundstrom produced the highlight of the meet with her school record-setting high jump of 5’4”, which is also a Carleton Fieldhouse record and the fourth best in Division III this year. Senior Shanna Dawson took first in the pole vault with 11′ 3 ¾”, while Sophomore Anna Bauer took first in the weight throw (45′ 9 ¼”) and Junior Lisa Brown took first in the shot put (39′ 9 ¾”).
“This weekend at indoor conference, progress will be put to the test. Each team and athlete will have the chance to show what they have done since a year previous. As a team, I know the work that has been put in, and I look forward to proclaim it to the MIAC,” said Hood.
The next track and field meet for both the men’s and women’s teams will be the three-day MIAC Championships next week at St. John’s University in Collegeville.
Coach Tom Thorkelson has an idea of what is needed for the participants to be successful: “It’s pretty simple. They have to give their best effort [and] hope that the training they’ve done up until this point pays off.” The multi-event competition starts this Thursday evening and continues through Saturday.
Photo Courtesy of: SportsPix