While most of the team participated in Tuesday’s meet, the Saturday competition was optional.

“We had some really strong performances,” April Graves ‘05 said. “A lot of people are showing improvement right when they need to be.”

In the most notable performance of the week, Allison Erlander ’07 raced two consecutive victories, provisionally qualifying for nationals in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 64.06 on Tuesday, and winning the open 400 meter race on Saturday with a personal best time of 59.26.

Erlander was named the MIAC Track Athlete of the Week. She holds the MIAC’s fastest time in the 400 hurdles going into this weekends’ championship.

Not far behind Erlander was Becca Trombly ‘06, who ran a 400 hurdle time of 68.52, earning fourth place. Trombly is also in a position to score in the conference meet.

“Allison and Becca are running well right now,” coach Chris Daymont said. “We’re going to need everyone at their best this weekend.”

Tuesday’s meet saw other good performances, with Laura Olson ‘08 and Sara Heesen ‘08 finishing 7th and 8th, respectively, in the 100 meter hurdles. Their times of 18.15 and 19.06 qualified both for the event finals. Gin Parish ’07 and Anne Balkany ‘08 also finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 5000 meter run.

In the pole vault, Liz Ghandour ’06 took fifth place, clearing a height of 3.19 meters. Ghandour cleared the provisional mark for nationals the week before with a vault of 3.35 m. In close pursuit, Marla Nelson ’06 vaulted just shy of a provisional mark, clearing 3.28 m. Nelson is seeded to score this weekend.

On Saturday, Kezia Manlove ’06 posted a season best 800-meter time of 2:25.00. She currently holds the sixth fastest MIAC time in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

Notably absent from the Oles’ past competition was Andrea Gelle ‘07, who has been battling a hamstring injury.

Coming into this week’s conference meet, the Oles are confident.

“We should have a lot of personal records and good performances,” Daymont said. “Whether that translates into points remains to be seen. This is a good group and they’ve worked hard. Now we need everyone to step up.”

The MIAC championship will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at Macalester.

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