Today, the University of Minnesota Duluth Women's Track and Field team kicked off their 2021 outdoor season by heading to Mankato, Minn. for the Maverick Spring Invite.

In total UMD had 12 top five finishers in individual events. Eight of the twelve came in running events. The freshman duo of Maddie Verkerke and Rachel Boelke finished first and second in the 800 meter run for the Bulldogs. Verkerke finished with a time of 2:17.30 and Boelke was right behind her with a time of 2:17.80. Freshman Lauryn Renier finished fifth in the 1500-meter run posting a time of 4:54.09. Junior Mackenzie Hall finished first in the 3000-meter run recording a time of 10:26:15 and her teammate junior Morgan Radel took second place with a time of 10:27.21. Sophomore Anna Palodichuk took fourth place in the 3000-meter posting a time of 10:36.02 and Sophomore Julia Nielsen took fifth place with a time of 10:38.82. Senior Nicole Schneider finished in the number five spot in the 100-meter hurdles with her time of 15.19 seconds.
The Bulldogs last four top five finishers came in field events. Freshman Eden Worden finished in the fifth spot in the pole vault with a height of 3.05 meters or 10 feet even. Senior Lindsay Maruska took home a second place finish in the triple jump recording a distance of 11.57 meters or 37 feet eleven and one half inches. Sophomore Jacqi Rae finished in the number three spot in the shot put recording a distance of 12.59 meters. Last but not least, senior Dannah Nephew finished second in the discus throw recording a distance of 27.86 meters.
 
"Today marked the first time that the women's team competed in outdoor competition in two years and they performed like they haven't missed a beat" said Head Coach Laura Harmon. "Our veterans showed they were ready to lead and perform by example. Nicole Schneider recorded the ninth best time ever in the 100-meter hurdles. This marks the start of what will certainly be an exciting season for the Bulldogs".

Next up for UMD is a trip to Winona, Minn. to participate in the Battle for the Paddle hosted by Winona State University on April 9.