MANKATO, Minn. – The Augustana track & field team completed three meets in the week leading up to the NSIC Outdoor Championships, with the majority of the team competing at the Maverick Open and the Deb Schulz Open hosted by Minnesota State on Wednesday and Friday.

"We had an outstanding week of racing at last chance meet opportunities and the results were impressive," director of track & field/cross country Tracy Hellman said. "Overall our program is excelling at a high level. We now turn out sights to the outdoor conference championships as championship season is officially here."

Similar to most track meets, the Vikings concluded the week at the oval office with four new school records.

Tyl Woelber broke school records in both the high jump (7-0.25) and the javelin throw (209-4) at the Maverick Open.

After advancing to the 110m hurdle finals at the Deb Schulz Open, Lawrence Lokonobei lowered his school record by running 14.20 to place second overall, ranking him 19th in the nation.

Kaly Banks, the indoor triple jump school record holder, who most recently tied the school record with teammate Kaja Salemonsen, soared to new heights at the Deb Schulz Open.

On her third attempt, Banks went well over forty feet with a leap of 40-10.5 to be the new school record holder. Her mark moves her up to 10th in the nation.

Similar to at the Kip Janvrin invitational, Banks and Salemonsen were trading exceptional marks with Salemsonsen also leaving with a new personal best in the triple jump, with her jump of 39-8.75. The mark is good for 28th in the nation.

Additionally, three Vikings made the trip to the pacific northwest to compete in the Portland Twilight, hosted by Lewis & Clark University.

Evan Johnson competed in the metric mile, turning out a new personal best time of 3:46.12. His performance moves him to No. 2 on Augustana's all-time list, along with ranking 25th in the nation.

Johnson placed sixth overall, running a rather even race. After covering the first 300m in 43.9, he covered the next three laps at around sixty seconds per lap. 

In the women's 5,000m, the Vikings came away with two seasons' best performances. Patty Jo English ran 16:35.87 to place seventh in the race and Nicolette Schmidt ran 16:54.38. 

The two are among the nations-best with English's performance 23rd in the nation and Schmidt's 31st, respectively.

Maverick Open

Tyl Woelber kicked off the meet with authority as the NSIC Field Preseason Athlete of the Year set two school records

Woelber started at the high jump mat, where he cleared seven feet for the first time in his career to break the school record and hit the NCAA Qualifying mark, clearing 7-0.25. He followed that performance with a new personal best in the javelin throw, where he threw 209-4 on his fourth attempt.

Nationally, he ranks sixth in the high jump and 17th in the javelin.

In the women's 400m, Ella Heinitz placed second overall, running a new personal best time of 58.24.

Patty Jo English and Nicolette Schmidt went 1-2 in the metric mile, with times of 4:29.48 and 4:29.98, respectively.

Mariah Shafer concluded the meet in the 5,000m, where she set a new personal best, running 17:52.77 to place second overall.

Augustana started strong with field events taking place before track events. 

Banks placed second in the triple jump with a new school record jump of 40-10.5. Salemonsen was close behind, placing fifth (39-8.75).

Kylee Sallee threw a new personal best in the javelin throw with her heave of 103-8, to place first. Kaye Paschka also set a new personal best, with her second throw going 98-9, to take second overall.

She also won the long jump nearing her personal best with a leap of 19-3.25 on her first attempt.

Janae Becher threw a new personal best in the hammer throw with a toss of 139-2.

Tyl Woelber placed first in the javelin throw for the second time in three days with a mark of 203-0.

Noah Melton made his outdoor debut in the 400m placing seventh overall in 51.07.

Andrew Martens, placed fourth in 14.63, also a personal best, behind Lokonobei's second-place finish.

In the men's 800m, Jonah Breuer and Matt Steiger broke 1:56 to take second and third. Breuer clocked in a 1:55.45 with Steiger hot on his heels in 1:55.49.

Noa Marteau placed second in the 400m hurdles running 1:02.06, running a new personal best.

Elizabeth Schaefer was close behind in her debut in the 400m hurdles, clocking in at 1:02.59.

Nyanas Kur lowered her rank on Augustana's Top-10 list, breaking 25 in the 200m dash with her time of 24.94. She placed fifth in the race and moved to No. 5 on the Top-10 list.

The women closed out the meet setting the fastest time run this year by an Augustana team in the 4x400m relay.

The team of Maia Peterson, Ella Heinitz, Caroline Sudbeck and Cami Streff completed the four laps in a time of 3:52.01.

Similar to the women's 4x400m, the men's relay also turned out the best time this season. 

The relay team of Jed Dooyema, Andrew Martens, Matthew Schoessow and Gavin Fischer ran 3:20.77.

Up Next

The Vikings will travel to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to compete in the NSIC Outdoor Championships held Thursday through Saturday.

–GoAugie.com–