May 9, 2008

Wayne, NE – The University of Mary women’s outdoor track and field team won two individual titles and raced out to a lead in the team race after the first day of the 2008 Northern Sun championships. The Marauders men have also claimed two day one titles but find themselves in fourth place entering day two.

The U-Mary women have compiled 87 points after nine events. Minnesota State Moorhead is second with 66. On the men’s side, Wayne State College leads with 83 points while the Marauders check in with 38.5 points.

Two freshmen claimed individual conference championships on the first day for the women. Holly Hassler grabbed the javelin title with a throw of 39.25 meter. Alyson Piccolo nudged out another U-Mary freshman, Kristen Neumiller, 39:09.26 to 39:09.65, in an incredibly tight race.

Brianna Perry placed second in the long jump and took third in the high jump. Earlier she had finished second in the heptathlon. Ashley Grammens was second in the high jump.

The Marauders hope to have a strong finish on day two of the conference championships. In the preliminaries of both the 100 and 200 meter dash, Kacie Sweep, Mishay Weber and Kristen Stewart finished one-two-three.

On the men’s side, Jake Alexander claimed U-Mary’s lone individual title. He cleared the pole vault at 15-10 to win the event while also reaching the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying standard.

In a record-setting performance, the Marauders 4x800 relay team set a meet record. Chris Ogle, Mark McLaughlin, Russ Neff and Tony Wood covered the distance in a blazing time of 7:46.86.

In the 3,000 meter steeplechase, Kurt Rettig ran the course in a time of 9:22.13 to finish in secod pla., also a provisional qualifying time.

The Northern Sun championship concludes on Saturday, May 10.