The University of Minnesota Duluth men's and women's outdoor track and field teams had a busy last three days of competition between two meets – the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calf. Thursday through Saturday, and the Bethel Invitational in St. Paul, Minn. on Saturday.
At the Bethel Invitational, UMD claimed two meet records including a 400 meter run time of 48.93 that both won Brady Johnson the event as well as set a PR for the freshman. Jackson Weston threw a 15.97 meter shot put for the Bulldogs, which also earned him a meet record and top podium spot.
The men's 4x100 of Nicholas Westphal, Cole Brisbois, Brayden Brakke and Johnson also earned a first place finish, turning in a time of 42.11.
Five other athletes logged second place finishes, which included performances on the men's side from Lucas Selman in the men's steeplechase (9:19:26, a new PR), Colton Kostynick in the men's discus throw (50.45m).
On the women's side, Erika Swanson ran to a second place finish in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:32:14, Lauren DuBois had a high jump of 1.55m for the second-best mark of the day, and UMD's 4x400 meter relay comprised of Kate Fitzgerald, Rachel Boelke, Julia Kuhnke and Rachel Ulrich earned second in a time of 4:04:21.
Bethel Invitational PR List:
Women's 3k Steeple
Katie McConkey 12:39.39
Men's 3k Steeple
Nolan Bakken 10:14.72
Women's 1500m
Rachel Ulrich 4:40.61
Women's 400m
Marybeth Matthews 1:01.62
Men's 400m
Alexander Croston 49.59
Women's 100m
Lindsey Root 12.74
Chloey Evans 12.89
Brooke Silloway 12.94
Men's 800m
Jordan Gruenes 1:55.68
Women's Hammer
Justine Carsrud 41.07m
Svea Smestad 36.53m
Women's Discus
Svea Smestad 33.44m
Men's Discus
Jackson Weston 45.42m
At the Bryan Clay Invitational, four athletes nabbed personal bests over the course of the meet, including Nick Jacobson, with a 3:52:18 1,500 meter run and Austin Antony, who ran a 30:26:59 in the men's 10,000 meters.
On the women's side, Megan Gilles ran a PR mark of 1:02:51 in the 400 meters, while Jacqi Rae had a 800 meter time of 2:31:81 and high jump of 1.49m in the heptathlon.
Both Bulldogs squads will travel to La Crosse, Wis. for the Phil Esten Challenge this Friday and Saturday.
