Saints track and field braved the frigid temps to bus down to Collegeville on Saturday morning. Competing against a mix of regional talent, additional competitors came from College of St. Benedict, Minnesota Morris, and University of Wisconsin - Superior. The meet additionally served as an alumni celebration for the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University.

Junior Captain Regan Niemi (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji HS) put together a wire to wire win in the mile early in the meet. With a strong solo surge to the finish line, this result served as a three second personal best and shifted Niemi up to number five all time on the Saints school record list.

Yet again, Ella Stritesky (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) found improvement in the weight throw on Saturday. Stritesky launched one 16.54m to gradually improve on her personal best yet again. This mark will move Stritesky up the NCAA qualifying list as she prepares for championship season.

In the hurdles, first year Lucy Rappana (Duluth, MN/Duluth East High School) got out to a blazing start in the preliminary heats. Running a personal best of 9.92 seconds, Rappana snuck under the ten second barrier for the first time in her short career. However, she wasn't done there. Rappana returned for the final and powered her way to another huge personal best and strong runner-up finish. Rappana's second place time of 9.78 seconds already moves her to the seventh position on the Saints all-time performance list.

Allison Fink (Mountain Iron, MN/Rock Ridge High School) continued her progression in the long jump on Saturday. She saved her best leap of the day for last, as she eclipsed the five meter mark for the first time in her career. Fink's mark of 5.00m was good for third place overall in the meet. Shayna Wick (Poplar, WI/Northwestern High School) was on her heels with a fifth place finish. 

Hailey Johnson (Chisholm, MN/Chisholm High School) was the third place qualifier in the 60m dash with a time of 8.54 seconds in prelims. The first year sprinter was able to improve on her mark and secure third place overall in the finals with her time of 8.52 seconds.

Molly King (New Prague, MN/New Prague High School) finished third overall in the 200m dash with a personal best time of 29.72 seconds.

Madeline Hartley (Rosemount, MN/Rosemount HS) ran a gutsy race to finish sixth overall in the 800m. Hartley's final lap was faster than any other competitor in the field. Her final time of 2:33.96 was just off her personal best.

Elli Schritz (Mora, Minn./Mora HS) hit the ten meter mark in the triple jump to finish fourth overall in the competition. Her mark of 10.00m was her best on the year so far.

The Saints will regroup and continue their preparation for the MIAC championships next month. Catch them in action next weekend down at St. Olaf for a two-day competition through the weekend.

RESULTS