Wayne, Neb. -- The Augustana track and field teams opened the 2021 season Saturday at the WSC Classic in Wayne, Nebraska, with several first-place finishes and an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. 

Junior Mearah Miedema jumped to a provisional qualifying mark in the high jump in 5-7.25. The height currently ties her for fourth in the nation. The mark won the event while Kendra Ludeman placed second with a leap of 5-2.25. 

Junior Tyl Woelber, the NSIC's Preseason Field Athlete of the Year, soared to new heights in the pole vault, earning a personal best 13-7.25 that also won the event for him. Woelber also found success for the Vikings in the high jump with a leap of 6-4.75 and the 60m hurdles in a time of 8.91, tying for first in the high jump and claiming second in the 60m hurdles.

Augustana also found success in the triple jump with junior Kaly Banks winning the event with a leap of 36-6.75, freshman Sammi Sundby placed third at 34'8.50.

On the men's side, senior Luke Fritsch, competing for Viking track & field for the first time, claimed second in the triple jump with a jump of 44-8.25. 

Another strong event for Augustana was the 600m as junior Noah Melton took the win with a time 1:25.10. 

On the women's side, AU took the first two spots with senior Kali Ryan and sophomore Molly Boyum at 1:41.15 and 1:44.47, respectively. 

Also claiming the first two spots were Sydney Mudgett and Kaitlyn Mulder in the 400m in times of 1:03.77 and 1:03.86, respectively. 

The final Viking victory of the day came from Melik Davis in the 200m. Competing for the first time in his career, David crossed the finish line in 23.84 seconds. 

The Augustana track and field team returns to action in two weeks for the Northern State Invite in Aberdeen, South Dakota. 

--GoAugie.com--