Waldorf shines, wins seven events in Warrior Invitational
By Matt Oliver
FOREST CITY – The Waldorf University women’s track and field team shined in its first-ever home meet, winning seven events and breaking six outdoor school records during Saturday’s Warrior Invitational.
“I was very impressed with the performances,” Waldorf coach Kelsey Riggins said. “It was great to compete at home and have the community and other sports teams come support us.”
Erica Fee raced to victory in the 800-meter run, crossing the finish line in 2 minutes, 33.72 seconds. The sophomore from Knoxville crushed her previous-school record by 8.14 seconds.
“Erica showed a lot of guts and ran an incredibly smart race,” Riggins said.
Junior Abby Buehler was crowned the triple jump champion, hitting a mark of 10.55 meters (34 feet, 7.35 inches). She set a new school record in the 100, chasing down third place in 13.12 seconds.
“Abby jumped very well and ran a lifetime-best in the 100,” Riggins said.
The 4×100 relay team of Buehler, freshman Adriana Garber, senior Megan Perkins and sophomore Danielle Holt took first (54.01) while eclipsing the previous school record time by 0.88 seconds.
Perkins sprinted to third (1:06.13) in the 400 to surpass her previous school-record performance by 2.24 seconds.
“That is a big jump in the 400,” Riggins said.
Auburn Miller locked up the discus and shot put titles for the Warriors. The freshman from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota launched the discus 33.32 meters (109 feet, 3.81 inches) to improve on her previous-school record mark by 12 feet, 11.90 inches. Miller tossed the shot 10.79 meters (35 feet, 4.80 inches).
“Auburn’s improvement in the discus was impressive,” Riggins said.
Freshman Kelli Wallace also turned in a new school record in the hammer throw, taking third with a 30.43-meter (99-foot-10.03-inch) performance. Wallace bested her previous record by 8 feet, 2.42 inches.
“Breaking 30 meters for Kelli is big,” Riggins said. “We are very proud of her.”
Waldorf freshman Peyton Russell claimed the javelin crown, turning in a throw of 36.76 meters (120 feet, 7.24 inches). Fee secured second in the javelin at 32.08 meters (105 feet, 2.99 inches).
Holt won the 100 hurdles as she clocked a time of 17.19 seconds. Holt also earned second (1:26.35) in the 400 hurdles.
Competing unattached, Waldorf’s Markai Wotoe captured first-place finishes in two events. Wotoe charged to first (59.54) in the 400 and topped the long jump with a 5.34-meter (17-foot-6.23-inch) performance. She also earned second (12.72) in the 100 and second (27.43) in the 200.
Waldorf freshman Asia Bell also ran unattached and placed third (18.42) in the 100 hurdles.
“Our unattached athletes all performed very well too,” Riggins said. “It was great to see them be able to compete and they really showed how bright the future is for the program.”
Garber leaped to second in the high jump, clearing the bar at 1.46 meters (4 feet, 9.4 inches). She also grabbed third in the triple jump with a distance of 9.39 meters (30 feet, 9.68 inches).
Buehler finished third in the long jump, recording a mark of 5.13 meters (16 feet, 9.96 inches). Sophomore Karissa Vetsch earned third in the javelin with a throw of 26.12 meters (85 feet, 8.34 inches) and also competed in the long jump. Freshman Patricia Molina represented the Warriors in the shot put and javelin.
Waldorf’s first-ever home competition at Beebe Track was a community effort with the Warrior football and men’s soccer teams lending a hand throughout the day.
“I want to give a special thank you to Coach Kent Anderson and Coach Michael Wilson for volunteering themselves and their athletes to come work the meet,” Riggins said.
The Warriors return to action in the Meet of UnSaintly on May 7 at St. Paul, Minnesota, beginning at 11 a.m. Waldorf also hosts the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Outdoor Championships on May 11-13.