Women's track opens outdoor season with four event wins

Kaitie Eke
April 5, 2009

RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The St. Olaf women's track and field team opened its outdoor season this weekend with four event wins at the Falcon Invitational, hosted by the UW-River Falls.

The Oles boasted several event wins in the meet, including a 3.65 meter pole vault by Amie Fillmore, which qualifies her provisionally for the NCAA's.

Abby Smith added two first place finishes on the track. In the 800 meter run, she won with a time of 2:23.22. In the 1500 meter run, she crossed the line in 4:54.10, besting the nearest competitor by more than five seconds.

St. Olaf counted their final first place finish in the 5000 meter run as Maren Westby, a first year, won the event in 19:28.76. The Oles also captured second and third places in the race, with Katie Duwell finishing in 19:30.21 and Jenna Carlson in 19:39.30.

Besides Smith, three other first years -- Callie Knaeble, Yevette Willaert, and Gina Collings -- also performed well for the Oles in the meet. In the 400 meter dash, Knaeble was third with a time of 62.58. Collings was second in the heptathlon, totaling 3515 points. Off the track, Willaert was third in the discus, throwing 36.91 meters.

The Falcon Invitational was unscored. St. Olaf will compete next on April 9 at the Carleton Invitational in Northfield, Minn.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.