The Gustavus Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams recently concluded their indoor winter seasons. Though they did not claim a conference title (which was awarded to St. Thomas), they sent two throwers to the NCAA tournament. One of whom was Senior Sarah Swanson, who also took home the MIAC Women’s Indoor Field athlete of the year award.
To start out the season, the Gusties dominated at the St. Olaf invite, where the men took first place in six events. Junior Sean O’Connell won the 60-meter dash, crossing the line in 7.30 seconds. The 4×200-meter relay of Junior Sam ReMine, Freshman Jack Blaney, Junior Ed ReMine and O’Connell took first with a time of1:34.29. Junior Thomas Knobbe won the one-mile run in 4:23.3, and also took first in the 3000-meter run at 9:04.74. Senior Bennet Woltjer won the high jump with a height of 1.78 meters, and Junior David Hoien posted the top pole vault mark, clearing 4.47 meters.
The Women’s team faired just as well, claiming first in five events, including the 4×200-meter relay team of First-year Jalia Anderson, First-year Tess Olinger, Junior Maddison Ackiss and Senior Kaitlin Bembenek finished in 1:53.71. Sophomore Sadie Novak-Klug crossed the one-mile finish line in 5:33.61. Sarah Swanson tossed the weight throw a distance of 14.18 meters and the shot put 13.17 meters, and Jalia Anderson cleared a height of 3.11 meters in the pole vault.
During the first day of the MIAC Indoor Championships, both teams boasted finishes that reached the podium, including a sweep in the weight throw. After day one, the women were in ninth place with 21 points, while the men were in seventh place with 33 points.
Senior Sam Fischer led the way for the Men’s team as he claimed the gold medal in the weight throw with a distance of 57-11.75. Fischer became the seventh Gustie to win the weight throw at the MIAC Indoor Championships and first since Andy Klaers in 2007. Knobbe and Senior Paul Nordquist finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 5000-meter with times of 15:02.26 and 15:06.52. Junior Derek Huntley took third in the pole vault, clearing a season-best height of 14-11. Junior David Hoien was close behind in fifth place, clearing 14-7.25. Junior Carston Dammann also reached the podium with a fifth place finish in the mile with a season-best time of 4:26.27.
Later in the week, Gustavus continued their success at the Ted Nelson Classic held at Mankato State University, where four Gusties placed in the top five amongst athletes that were both Division II and Division III.
Although injuries took their toll in late Feb. for the Women’s team at the CSB-SJU Invite, they still had bright spots, chief amongst them being Swanson’s continued success as a thrower, and three first place finishes on the day.
“We were a little banged up today, some with injuries and others with illness, which kept a few out of the competition today,” Head Coach Dale Bahr said. “I’m a little frustrated with the illnesses and injuries, but proud of those that had good performances.”
Fast forward a few weeks, and Swanson again highlighted the women’s team with a gold medal in the weight throw. Swanson set a personal record with a distance of 50-9.25 and became the fifth Gustie to win the weight throw at the MIAC Indoor Championships, and first since Dianna Scott in 2010. Sophomore Lydia Hayes took fourth in the 800-meter, clocking in at a season-best 2:19.43. The distance medley relay team of Senior Courtney Branch, Junior Mikaela Algren, First-year Abigail Schnabel and Sophomore Sadie Novak-Klug took fourth in 12:52.34. Bembenek also reached the podium with an eighth place finish in the 400-meter with a season-best time of 60.62.
Because of this outstanding showing at the championship meet, Gustavus track & field throwing specialists Sarah Swanson and Sam Fischer qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, which was hosted by Grinnell College in Iowa. Swanson competed in the shot put after winning her MIAC title, while Fischer competed in the weight throw after claiming a conference crown of his own.
Fischer entered at No. 12 seed with a season-high throw of 17.90 meters, which he set at the Macalester Kilt Classic earlier in the season in February. Swanson entered at No. 12 seed as well with a season-high toss of 13.74 meters, which she also set at the Kilt Classic.
In the NCAA Championship, Swanson placed 17th in the shot put, where she posted a mark of 12.21 meters (40-0.75) on her third toss after fouling on both the first and second throws.
Fischer placed 15th in the weight throw with a mark of 16.38 meters (53-9).
The indoor season is officially complete for Gustavus as it transitions to the outdoor season, which begins March 26 at the Point Loma Nazarine University Collegiate Invite in San Diego.