ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Carleton College women's track & field team turned in five All-MIAC worthy performances on the final day of the 2024 MIAC Outdoor Championships, including a victory by Sophie McManus in the steeplechase. The Knights added four all-conference honorable mention races and finished fifth out of 12 teams in the final standings.
 
"Our focus throughout the season is the development of our individual athletes, to allow them to focus and compete in the events in which they love and that in which they can excel," said Carleton head coach Donna Ricks.
 
"The MIAC Championships is about TEAM. We asked a lot from our athletes in regards to doubling and or tripling in events, and they demonstrated through their performances that they were capable of handling these challenges. Their work ethic and mental toughness in workouts and in meets throughout the season prepared these athletes to perform at their highest level, and they did just that."
 
McManus and Libby Rowland finished 1-2 in the steeplechase, with the former covering the 3,000-meter distance in a personal-best 10:45.10, which ranks her No. 2 all-time at Carleton and No. 11 on this season's national performance list. Rowland finished at 11:20.49, a more than six-second PR.
 
Mary Blanchard earned All-MIAC recognition and Lara Erickson secured all-conference honorable mention as they finished second and fifth, respectively in the 800-meter run. Blanchard clocked a season-best time of 2:11.57, while Erickson established a new PR at 2:16.60. Alice Cutter placed ninth with a time of 2:31.81.
 
The Knights had four point scorers in the 5,000-meter run. Helen Cross finished second at 17:18.02, while Phoebe Ward joined her in earning All-MIAC status by taking third at 17:22.58. Hannah Preisser placed fourth at 17:25.57, collecting All-MIAC Honorable Mention. Aliya Larsen contributed a team point by finishing eighth with a time of 18:00.92. Katie Hirsche also ran the race, taking 12th with a time of 18:54.21.
 
Riley Roberts added to Carleton's point total after placing eighth in the 100-meter dash, crossing the line with a new personal-best of 12.74.
 
Carleton started Saturday's action by tying St. Scholastica for sixth place in the 4x100-meter relay. Hadley Twichell, Roberts, Bianca Lott, and Michelle Musa combined on a season-best time of 50.266, earning the quartet All-MIAC Honorable Mention. The Knights ended the championships with another all-conference honorable mention performance as Roberts, Erickson, Twichell, and Blanchard finished fifth in the 4x400-meter relay at 4:03.94.
 
"I often talk about 'Senior Power'," said Ricks. "I truly believe that the emotion and the experiences these athletes have had throughout their careers will come together on this day, and once again the seniors did an amazing job leading the team this weekend.
 
"I am grateful for our seniors. Thank you for your leadership. Thanks to our assistant coaches, as it has been a true team effort. Together we have accomplished some great things. I am so proud of all of you."
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton may take a few individuals to the Augustana Midwest Twilight Qualifier to be held May 15-16 in Rock Island, Ill. That would be the final chance for any Knights to improve their national ranking ahead of selections to the NCAA Outdoor Championships to be held May 23-25 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
 
All-MIAC performances for Carleton (1st-3rd place…through Day 2)
1500-meter run
3. Helen Cross – 4:36.46
 
4x800-meter relay
2. Carleton (Nora Daley, Libby Rowland, Alice Cutter, Lara Erickson) – 9:39.68.
 
10,000-meter run
3. Phoebe Ward — 35:54.26 (PR)
 
3000-meter steeplechase
1. Sophie McManus – 10:45.10 (PR, No. 2 all-time at Carleton)
2. Libby Rowland — 11:20.49 (PR, No. 8 all-time at Carleton)
 
800-meter run
2. Mary Blanchard – 2:11.57
 
5,000-meter run
2. Helen Cross – 17:18.02
3. Phoebe Ward – 17:22.58
 
All-MIAC honorable mention performances for Carleton (4th-6th place…through Day 2)
1500-meter run
4. Mary Blanchard – 4:41.94
6. Sophie McManus – 4:48.24
 
10,000-meter run
6. Hannah Preisser – 37:08.66
 
4x100-meter relay
T-6. Carleton (Hadley Twichell, Riley Roberts, Bianca Lott, Michelle Musa) – 50.266
 
800-meter run
5. Lara Erickson – 2:16.60 (PR)
 
5,000-meter run
4. Hannah Preisser – 17:25.57
 
4x400-meter relay
5. Carleton (Riley Roberts, Lara Erickson, Hadley Twichell, Mary Blanchard) – 4:03.94.