Waldorf’s Russell earns javelin crown at Norse Relays
By Aaron Schneider
DECORAH – The Waldorf University women’s track and field team established four outdoor school records at Saturday’s Norse Relays.
Peyton Russell locked up first place in the collegiate division of the javelin as the sophomore from Bedford turned in a distance of 36.92 meters (121 feet, 2 inches) to set a new school record.
“She had a very nice series of throws,” Waldorf coach Kelsey Riggins said.
Freshman Kelli Wallace crushed her personal record in the hammer throw, improving by nearly two meters. The Blooming Prairie, Minnesota native captured a school record with a 27.95-meter (91-foot, 8-inch) toss.
“Kelli is one of the hardest working athletes on our team, and it was great to see her improve by so much,” Riggins said. “I know that success will only continue.”
Freshman Auburn Miller took seventh in the shot put after recording a toss of 10.66 meters (34 feet, 11.75 inches).
Russell, Wallace and Miller continue to make significant strides in their development under the guidance of assistant coach Ashley Conway.
“Coach Conway has done such a great job with our women’s throwing team,” Riggins said. “We see improvements from them almost every weekend, and they are really making a big impact for our program.”
Waldorf set the bar in the school record books in two more events after fielding teams in the 4×100-meter relay and a 1,600 sprint medley relay for the first time in program history.
“The women ran very well in both of those races,” Riggins said.
The 1,600 sprint medley relay opens with two 200-meter legs. The third member of the relay team runs 400 meters, and the anchor runs 800 meters.
Sophomore Danielle Holt, senior Megan Perkins, junior Abby Buehler and sophomore Erica Fee competed in the sprint medley relay, securing fourth place with a time of 4 minutes, 45.23 seconds.
Holt, Perkins and Buehler combined for a time of 2 minutes, 7.24 seconds through the first three legs of the sprint medley relay. Fee anchored the final leg of the event with an 800 split of 2:37.99.
“Abby and Erica ran two of the fastest splits they have ran all season for us in the 400 and 800, respectively,” Riggins said.
Perkins, Buehler, sophomore Karissa Vetsch and Holt represented the Warriors in the 4×100 relay, fighting to fifth (56.03).
Both relay teams also scored points for the Warriors, helping them make noise in the team standings.
“There were some very solid women’s programs at this meet,” Riggins said. “With only eight women competing for us this weekend, it was great to see them put some points up on the board.”
Waldorf continues its season in next Saturday’s Lee Krough Invitational at St. Peter, Minnesota, which starts at 11 a.m. The Warriors continue to use each meet as a stepping stone building up to when they host the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Outdoor Championships on May 11-13.
“This coming week, we are really hoping for the weather to take a turn and see some warmth and sunshine,” Riggins said. “We have had less than favorable conditions so far this season, so it will be great to get the kids out in the some warm weather and really put the work in the last few weeks leading in to the NSAA meet in May.”