NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The St. Scholastica women's track team placed seventh out of 12 team at the St. Olaf Invite this weekend. The Saints had two individuals earn first place in their events, Lily Beneke (Green Isle, Minn./Sibley East HS) and Regan Dewitt.

Senior captain Lily Beneke (Green Isle, Minn./Sibley East HS) kept the throwing circle on fire with a new season best weight throw toss on Saturday. Beneke put together a consistent series, launching her best toss in finals, to win the event in 16.35m (53-07.75ft). This throw ranks Beneke #20 on the national list.

Sophomore thrower Ella Stritesky (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) continued her progressive season with yet another personal best of 14.60m (47-10.75ft). This toss was good for seventh overall in the weight throw competition. This improves Stritesky's mark as the seventh-best weight thrower in school history.

On the track, sophomore sprinter Jaden Ellefson (Saginaw, Minn./South Ridge HS) ran a gutsy race to finish sixth overall, against some of the best quarter milers in the MIAC. Ellefson's time of 1:03.77 was the fastest 400m race of her life, indoor or outdoors.

In the 800m dash, freshman mid-distance standout Regan DeWitt (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS) ran a tactically savvy race to take the go ahead win. After an Ole jumped to the front off the gun, DeWitt sat tight and let the race develop. Going into the third lap, DeWitt put on the gas and surged into the lead. This move proved the deal breaker for DeWitt and she flew across the finish line in top gear with a time of 2:23.20; over two seconds in front of the next competitor. This is DeWitt's debut in the event as a Saint, and ranks her eighth on the St. Scholastica all-time list.

Freshman Grace Hrabik (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) was able to win heat two for a Saints sweep in the 800m event. Hrabik's time of 2:43.57 was good for a win in her heat by over two seconds, as well.

Toria Strampe (Austin, Minn./Austin HS) leaped to a sixth-place finish in the triple jump with a mark of 9.47m (31-01.00ft). Teammate Elli Schritz (Mora, Minn./Mora HS) wasn't far behind with a jump of 8.84m (29-00.00ft).

Strampe also placed sixth overall in the high jump with a clearance of 1.40m (4-7.00ft).

Up Next
Next weekend, the Saints will be back at their home track for the Lake Superior Challenge on Feb. 3.