FARGO, ND – Exploding to her best mark of the season, All-American
D'Andra Morris headlined the efforts for the 21
st ranked University of Mary women's track & field team at the Bison Open. The Marauders captured a trio of event titles and posted three NCAA Division II provisional qualifying marks on the day.
The Marauders owned the top team finish among NCAA Division II teams at the Bison Open. UMary generated 119.5 team points in the 16-team meet, second only to the host, NCAA Division I North Dakota State University.
The national runner-up last season in the triple jump, Morris had the top mark this weekend in the event when she exploded in her fourth attempt of the day. Morris cleared 12.44 meters, which propels her to fourth in the nation this year. She also placed fourth in the long jump with a distance of 5.65 meters, her second-best mark on the season.
Elizabeth Acheson outpaced the field in the 800 meter run. The All-American was clocked in 2:13.71, edging out teammate
Ava Grimm by more than two seconds. Acheson's effort was an NCAA provisional qualifying effort.
The 800 was dominated by the Marauders, who claimed six of the top eight finishes in an event featuring 30 runners. Grimm (2:16.27) and
Courtney Dembrowski (2:16.33) went 2-3 behind Acheson. In slots 6-7-8 was
Rachael Neu (2:18.97),
Taylor Hestekin (2:19.76) and
Taryn Ceglowski (2:19.84).
Grace Acheson joined her sister Elizabeth as an event winner.
Grace Acheson claimed the 600 meter run with a clocking of 1:37.82. Close behind in third was Neu (1:39.29).
Hestekin was the runner-up in the mile run. Her time of 4:59.51 trailed only an NCAA Division I competitor. It was also an NCAA D2 provisional qualifying mark and places the UMary All-American 38
th in the nation.
The Marauders also had smashing success overall in the mile. Ceglowski placed fourth (5:03.92) and
Reid Shiland claimed fifth (5:11.58).
Senior
Lacey Feist was the runner-up in the 3000 meter run in a time of 10:25.23. She was the only non-NCAA D1 runner in the top three.
The 4x400 meter relay team of Grimm,
Danalee Brock, Hertz and
Elizabeth Acheson placed second in 4:01.95.
TOP 8 FINISHES:
The Marauders next compete at the South Dakota State Indoor Classic in Brookings, SD, on Feb. 11-12.
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