CSM’s Rodgers sets meet record at Polar Dog
SEWARD, Neb. – Three College of Saint Mary freshmen grabbed individual event victories on Friday in the Polar Dog Invite hosted by Concordia University.
The Flames' progress continues to excite head coach Steve Gordon Jr.
"The recurring theme of this entire season will be our presence as a much larger, more competitive team than we have ever been,'' he said. "We are making finals, winning events and now even breaking meet records. It's no less exciting, even if it is our best expected aspiration.''
Headlining the youngsters was Mikaiya Rodgers, who set a meet and program record of 5.67 meters (18 feet, 7¼ inches) to claim the long jump, earning a national B-standard qualifier in the process.
"Mikaiya set the tone with a massive performance,'' Gordon said.
In the 600, freshman Carly Henderson edged Ali Gutierrez of Central Methodist 1:42.04 to 1:42.25 for top honors.
And freshman Kara Muller set two new program records, in the 1,000 and the mile. In the 1,000, she bested the only other entry, Molly Milazzo of Central Methodist, 3:15.89 to 3:20.51. Muller placed second in the mile in 5:34.88.
CSM had two other runner-up efforts. Mira Fosmer took second in the 800 (2:24.39) and Claire Caspersen grabbed second in the shot put with a toss of 14.11 meters (46-3 ½), a national A-standard mark. Caspersen also set another program record in her new discipline, the weight throw, with a toss of 15.78 (51-9¼), good for sixth place.
"Claire had a great day,'' Gordon said.
Another freshman, Savannah Horne, had an excellent day in the sprints. She became the second Flame to go under the 8-second barrier in the 60 with a PR of 7.98. She placed sixth in that event. Horne also had a program record in the 200 (26.96), placing 11th.
All in all, Gordon loves the camaraderie he's seeing.
"Our shift in culture makes me most proud,'' he said. "We can be heard. We are loud and encouraging as the team shows support for each other in every event.''
Here are the rest of the CSM results:
60 prelims: 12, Kellesse Heard 8.20; 16, Ava Hilger 8.35; 18, Taylor Hrabik 8.42; 20, Ciara Williams 8.47.
200: 11, Horne 26.96; 17, Mackenzie Stanley 27.87; 19, C. Williams 28.13; 21, Hilger 28.25; 29, Hrabik 28.62.
400: 8, Olivia Elbert 1:02.53; 11, Stanley 1:03.95; 12, Hilger 1:05.18.
600: 5, Natalie Briggs 1:50.27.
800: 6, Josie Karnik 2:35.37; 10, Autumn Simons 2:38.26.
Mile: 5, Becka Karnik 5:51.47; 6, Corinne Mead 5:52.25; 9, Ella Miller 6:03.75; 12, Kiley Craft 6:16.68; 13, Kaitlyn Thalman 6:19.25; 14, Yenifer Juan Jesus 6:19.57; 19, Peyton Bell 6:36.72.
Long jump: 10, Heard 5.11 meters (16-9¼); 23, Chainey Thompson 4.48 (14-8½); 25, Olivia Joyce 4.39 (14-5); 27, Hrabik 4.36 (14-3¾).
Pole vault: 9, Phoenix Jensen 2.85 (9-4¼); 10, Allison Isaacson 2.85 (9-4¼).
Shot put: 20, Tavia Williams 11.09 (36-4¾); 24, Syd'ney Birch-George 10.44 (34-3); 27, Marie Bias 10.24 (33-7¼); 28, Clare Ullery 10.04 (32-11¼); fouls—Georgia Carroll
Triple jump: 9, Thompson 10.10 (33-1¾).
Weight throw: 11, Ullery 14.66 (48-1¼); 29, Birch-George 12.49 (40-11¾); 34, T. Williams 11.88 (38-11¾); 40, Madalynn Rhodes 10.99 (36- ¾); 42, Rylie Priester 10.00 (32-9¾).
CSM returns to action Friday in Lincoln at the Prairie Wolf Invite.