March 15, 2008

Mankato, MN – Destinee Keller made University of Mary history when she became the first Marauders track and field athlete to earn NCAA All-America recognition.

The senior from Beulah, ND, placed seventh in the triple jump at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championship. Keller earned All-America status when she leaped 38-04.75 on her first jump of the day.

In her last meet, Keller won the triple jump title while setting a new conference record at the Northern Sun Championships.

Keller was the lone U-Mary men’s and women’s track and field athlete to place at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She earned two team points in the triple jump to tie the Marauders for 33^rd in the women’s standings.

On the first day of the meet, Keller placed 12^th in the long jump, right behind teammate Brianna Perry who finished 11^th. Cassie Blazer finished 19^th in the 800 meter run after stumbling around the third turn. For the men’s team, Ben Jacobson placed ninth in the weight throw and Jesse Piper was unable to compete in the 60 meter hurdles due to injury.

The indoor championships cap a successful indoor season for the Marauders, who captured both the men’s and the women’s Northern Sun conference championships.