Huskies shine at Wildcat Classic

Friday, March 26

Wayne, NE

St. Cloud State

Wildcat Classic

3/27/2021 7:30:00 PM | Women's Track & Field

St. Cloud State Women's Track & Field opened their 2021 Outdoor season with an outstanding team performance at the Wildcat Classic on Saturday, winning three events and producing a multitude of top-ten finishers.

"We had a very good day down at Wayne State," said Huskies head coach Sam Kettenhofen, "We competed well, had a few PR's, and won some events. Definitely happy with that! Overall, it was a great way to kick off our outdoor season and I am looking forward to seeing this group continue to develop and produce impressive performances."

SCSU's stellar team performance in their first Outdoor competition since the 2019 NSIC Outdoor Championships presented the Huskies with splendid opportunities for growth.

"Anytime you can get outside to compete in March, you have to be pleased with the opportunity," Kettenhofen said, "The weather wasn't perfect, but it doesn't need to be to have a quality competition. After not having a season in 2020, having to deal with windy and cold conditions is a great learning experience and a big benefit moving forward to the rest of our schedule."

The Huskies began their day with a dominant showing in the Long Jump as Faith Lubner (5.78 m), Emelia Burris (5.62 m) and Parker Buske (5.12 m) finished one-two-three to sweep the podium. Lubner's event-winning mark of 5.78 meters sets a new career best for the senior, setting the tone for a great SCSU showing.

Buske followed up her third-place Long Jump finish by winning the Triple Jump with a 11.00 meter performance. Fellow SCSU athlete Maya Taylor finished right behind her in second place with a 10.97 meter mark. St. Cloud State capped off a splendid Jumps showing by placing four athletes in the top-ten High Jump finishers as Jocelyn Johnson tied for second followed by Claire Shea, Shantelle Des Marais and Julia Rowles.

Emma Gauert gave the Huskies another personal best in the Pole Vault, placing in second with a 3.20 meter mark.

Top-ten SCSU performances were the theme of the throws, as Dominique Buechel (38.17 m) began the Huskies' effort with a 10th place finish in the Discus. Buechel (7th, 12.64 m) and Dacoda Zimmerman (8th, 12.56 m) placed seven-eight in the Shot Put, while Annie Falardeau finished just outside the top ten with a 12.11 meter toss.

Clara Wellhouse (5:07.09) and Katherine Todd (5:08.05) returned the Huskies to the podium in the 1500 Meter Run, finishing second and third respectively. Erica Conrad (5:30.75) joined her teammates in the top-ten with an eighth-place finish.

In the 100 Meter Hurdles, Lubner placed second with a 14.89-second time (just 0.04 seconds back of first) and Johnson joined her in the top-ten with a 16.54 second seventh-place run.

Leighten Fischer placed fourth in the 800 Meter Run with a 2:26.19 time while Katelin Prinsen gave the Huskies yet another top-ten placing with a 2:43.18 run, good for tenth.

In her first time running the event, Makayla Rice won the 400 Meter Hurdles with a fantastic 1:06.79 time, giving SCSU their third event title in the Classic. Karla Encarnacion (1:16.48) joined Rice in the top ten, finishing seventh.

Kaylee Gessay rounded out St. Cloud State's day with a fifth-place 28.23-second run in the 200 Meter Dash.

"We will be closer to home at Mankato and Winona the next two weeks," said Kettenhofen, "Both of these competitions offer up excellent opportunities and competition for our team. We took advantage of the opportunities we had today, and I am confident our group will take advantage of the opportunities the next two weekends."

The Huskies next travel to Mankato for the Mankato Spring Invite on April 3, then head to Winona's Battle for the Paddle on April 9.