Day 1 Recap

WINONA, Minn. – The Carleton College women's track and field team turned in five All-MIAC performances and five all-conference honorable mention feats on Saturday as the Knights concluded the 2022 MIAC Outdoor Championships in fifth place out of 12 teams.

Gustavus Adolphus claimed its first MIAC team title with 139 points, holding off Saint Benedict (117.33 points). St. Olaf (113.33), Bethel (113), and Carleton (94) wrapped up the top five teams.

"This certainly was the most satisfying meet of the season," said Carleton head coach Donna Ricks. "Every time an athlete stepped on the track or was called up in the field, they put forth a tremendous effort. And it was apparent they were doing it for their team.
 
"It was bittersweet as the seniors took to the track and the field. As a coach I savored their races and their jumps as they gave everything they had. I am extremely proud of this group of seniors. Thank you seniors for your dedication and your guidance."
 
"The torch was passed today, the underclasswomen demonstrated that they are ready to carry the team forward. Our first-years will certainly be a force in the future of this team."
 
The first Carleton points on the final day came in the steeplechase, where Libby Rowland (Fy./Tulsa, Okla./Holland Hall) was the runner-up as a rookie. She finished in 11:25.92, nearly 20 seconds better than her previous career best clocked 10 days earlier. Sophie McManus (Fy./McCall, Idaho/McCall-Donnelly) also scored points in the team competition after placing seventh overall at 12:02.42.
 
"Libby finishing second as a first-year in the steeple chase is a tremendous accomplishment in one of the most challenging events on the track," Ricks said. "Her water barriers were outstanding. This is the first time we have had two steeplers score in a MIAC meet during my tenure."
 
Senior Sydney Marsh (Sr./Austin, Minn./Austin) earned all-conference honorable mention after finishing fourth in the pole vault. She cleared the bar set at 3.20 meters.
 
Carleton's next team points came in the 4x100-meter relay where Nayeli Williams (Fy./Minneapolis, Minn./Brooklyn Center), Jocelyn Ferguson (Fy./Minneapolis, Minn./Minneapolis South), Riley Roberts (So./Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington), and Audrey Parrott (Fy./Green Isle, Minn./Sibley East) combined on a time of 50.43.
 
After setting a personal best during the 1,500-meter run prelims, Nell Schafer (Jr./Oakland, Calif./Oakland Technical) improved upon that during Saturday's event finals. She covered the distance in 5:00.32.
 
"Nell found herself in a position to score in an event she wasn't sure she would even qualify for a few weeks ago," Ricks said. "She certainly rose to the occasion, setting a personal best by six seconds and fought hard the last lap to score for her team by finishing seventh."
 
In addition to her work on the 4x100 relay, Williams added third-place results in both the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles. She covered the distance for the shorter race in 14.96, while she notched a career-best time of 1:05.60—more than 2.5 seconds better than her time during the prelims—for the longer distance.
 
Ferguson followed with an All-MIAC performance in the 400-meter dash. She placed third overall after completing the lap at the Saint Mary's Track & Field Complex in 59.17.
 
Amy Kropp (Sr./Logan, Utah/Logan) wrapped up her collegiate career with a fourth-place result in the 800-meter run, posting a time of 2:22.15.
 
Carleton's final all-conference showing came in the 5000-meter run. Clara Mayfield (Jr./Manhattan, Kan./Manhattan) was the runner-up and bettered the previous facility record with her time of 17:25.04. Helen Cross (So./Nederland, Colo./Nederland) and Phoebe Ward (So./Dobbs Ferry, N.Y./Dobbs Ferry) took home All-MIAC Honorable Mention after placing fifth and sixth, respectively, with times of 18:13.85 and 18:18.26.
 
"Clara once again demonstrated why she is one of the top distance runners in the country, competing back-to-back in the 10K and 5K," Ricks said. "These events are a challenge not many athletes will step out on the track to do, or are capable of doing. Her diligence in training paid off as she finished a strong second in both races."
 
Up Next for the Knights
Mayfield is in solid contention for a bid to the NCAA Championships. She currently ranks No. 6 in the country for both the 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs while ranking No. 25 in the 1500-mter race.
 
All-MIAC Performances for Carleton (1st-3rd place individuals, 1st place relays)
Heptathlon
3. Grace Blanchette – 4,143 points (personal best)
 
Long Jump
1. Nayeli Williams – 5.49 meters
 
10,000-meter run
2. Clara Mayfield – 34:58.96
 
3000-meter steeplechase
2. Libby Rowland — 11:35.92 (personal best)
 
100-meter hurdles
3. Nayeli Williams — 14.96
 
400-meter dash
3. Jocelyn Ferguson — 59.17
 
400-meter hurdles
3. Nayeli Williams — 1:05.60 (career best)
 
5000-meter run
2. Clara Mayfield — 17:25.04
 
All-MIAC Honorable Mention Performances for Carleton (4th-6th place individuals, 2nd-6th place relays)
Heptathlon
4. Sydney Marsh – 3,989 points (personal best)
 
Long Jump
5. Sydney Marsh – 5.30 meters (matched personal best)
 
Pole Vault
4. Sydney Marsh – 3.20 meters
 
4x100-meter relay
6. Carleton (Nayeli Williams, Jocelyn Ferguson, Riley Roberts, Audrey Parrott) — 50.43
 
800-meter run
4. Amy Kropp – 2:22.15
 
5000-meter run
5. Helen Cross – 18:13.85
6. Phoebe Ward – 18:18.26