Mankato, Minn. - - Minnesota State University hosted the first day of the 2013 NSIC Indoor Conference Championships Friday at Myers Field House. Joining the Mavericks at the event were: Augustana College, Bemidji State University, Concordia St. Paul University, University of Mary, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Minot State University, Northern State University, Saint Cloud State University, Wayne State College, Winona State University, and University of Sioux Falls.

MSU freshman Faryn Wirkus tied for second place in the pole vault with a 3.81m effort. Wirkus was joined on the podium by junior Bryanna Sudman, who came in eighth place with a vault of 3.66m. Both, Wirkus and Sudman, who posted personal bests today, have already provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships.

Senior Annie Dahl qualified for the 400m dash finals by crossing the finish line in 58.49 seconds. The 400m dash finals will be held Saturday at 1:45.

In the high jump, the Mavericks had two jumpers finish in the top eight. Sophomore Amanda Stangler came in sixth place with a jump of 1.58m. Stangler was followed by junior Moriah Miller who finished in seventh place with a jump of 1.58m as well. Stangler has also previously qualified for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.

Junior Dedie Richemond qualified for the 600m run finals with a third-place finish. Richemond cross the finish line with a time of 1:37.64 and will compete in the 600m run finals Saturday at 2:00.

The Mavericks had two sprinters qualify for the 60m dash finals. Senior Danielle Jones came in second place with a time of 7.79 seconds and sophomore Rachel Lindquist came in eighth place with a time of 7.91 seconds. Both Jones and Lindquist will compete in the 60m dash finals on Saturday at 2:15. Jones also qualified for the 200m dash finals on Saturday with a time of 25.76 seconds.

Senior Kate Sanft came in first place of the 800m run preliminaries with a time of 2:19.64. Sanft will compete in the 800m run finals on Saturday at 2:30. Sanft has already provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 800m run.

In the 1000m run junior Jessie DeJong , senior Jenny Rogers , and sophomore Halee Peterson all qualified for the finals on Saturday at 2:45. DeJong came in first place with a time of 2:59.03, Rogers came in fifth place with a time of 3:03.19, and Peterson finished in eighth place, crossing the finish line with a time of 3:04.12.

Sophomore Sarah Bowler came in sixth place in thew 3000m run with a time of 10:27.64.

Minnesota State’s distance medley relay team comprised of Kate Sanft, Bonnie Pickford, Dedie Richemond, and Jessie DeJong came in second place with a time of 12:14.66. 

As a team, Minnesota State sits in sixth place after day one with 24 points.

To view complete day one results and team standings, click HERE.

Competition resumes Saturday at 10 a.m.

Faryn Wirkus and Bryanna Sudman commented on their performances in the pole vault.


                                                                                                  
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