The University of Minnesota Duluth continued its outdoor track and field season Saturday (April 3) with a strong showing at the Central College Invitational in Pella, Iowa. The women dominated the 11-team field, capturing the title with 269.5 points with host Central College taking runner up honors. The men were a close second to Central, losing by just 11 points (222.5 to 211.5) in the 11-school event.

The women had some of their best performances this season with 3 National Provisional qualifying marks from sophomore Morgan Place and juniors Michelle SanCartier, and Elizabeth Crane. Place kicked off the day for the Bulldogs in the 10,000 meter race, shattering the meet record and her own school record by 20 seconds and ran a National Provisional time (35:49.33). SanCartier ran a National Provisional time and a personal best in the 1500 missing the school record by just under 1 second, crossing the finish line at 4:36.41. Crane had the third National Provisional marking of the weekend in winning the shot put (45'5").

Sophomore Megan Stroh won the hammer throw with a personal best (148'7"). Sophomores Lexi Williams and Maggie Demulling went 1-2 in the 400 meter dash (60.16 and 60.24). Freshman Kirsten Bjork ran the 100 (2nd place; 12.91). Junior Rachel Hanzal ran a strong 800 (2nd place; 2:19.94). Junior Bridget Hines won the 5,000 meter race (18:48.95).

On the mens side, junior John Knebel won both the high hurdles and 400 meter hurdles (15.26 and 54.94) Knebel also had a 50.8 split in the 4X400 relay. Junior Erik Escher and freshman Ryan Eason went 1-2 in the 10,000 meter race (32:51.87 and 33:15.16). The men's 800 was full of maroon and gold - as the men went 2-5, Mike Finnerty (1:56.46), Aaron Gorman (1:56.89), Spencer Carlson (1:57.08), and Lou Hughes (1:57.11). Juniors Dillon and Jared Johnston had good times in the 1,500 (1st place; 4:08.14 and 3rd place; 4:09.4).

Next up for the Bulldogs is the Gustavus Adolphus Invitational on April 10.