ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sophie McManus successfully defended her 3000-meter steeplechase crown to lead the Carleton College women's track & field team on the final day of action at the MIAC Outdoor Championships. The Knights finished seventh in the team standings. Nora Daley, Lara Erickson, Aliya Larsen, and Libby Rowland added either all-conference or all-conference honorable mention recognition on Saturday.
 
"What a great day of competition," said Carleton head coach Donna Ricks. "The athletes stepped into the track ready to compete and achieved some tremendous performances."
 
Competition on Saturday started in the field events. Alice Islam tied for ninth place in the high jump after clearing 1.44 meters, while Parker Collins and Claire Miyoshi took 12th and 13th in the triple jump after measuring 9.94 meters and 9.93 meters, respectively.
 
The racing portion of the day began with the 4x100-meter relay, with Carleton's entry finishing 11th at 51.94.
 
McManus and Daley finished 1-2 in the 3000-meter steeplechase. McManus led from gun to tape in successfully defending her conference crown. She now ranks 12th in NCAA Division III after posting a season-best time of 10:45.19, only 0.09 off her personal record
 
"Sophie had two goals, repeat as MIAC Champion and lower her time to improve her chances of qualifying for the national championships," said Ricks. "Sophie knew exactly what times she wanted to hit each lap. which allowed her to maintain her focus, and as she hit those marks it continued to fuel her determination to post a winning time that should advance her to the national championships."
 
Daley, running just the second steeplechase of her career, finished at 11:07.39 to establish a new personal record by nearly 19 seconds.
 
"I admire this steeple crew," Ricks said. "Sophie and Libby have been outstanding teammates, mentoring Nora in her first season of the steeplechase, encouraging her in practice, and providing her with valuable insight to this event. Nora's water barriers and fun attitude about the steeple certainly were key in achieving a huge personal best."
 
Rowland placed fifth in the event, covering the distance in 11:21.67 and earning All-MIAC Honorable Mention.
 
"Libby ran a brave race," explained Ricks. "Having turned her ankle early in the race, she had to adjust to a double foot land on the water barrier. She dropped back to seventh at one point, but she came back on the last lap, moving up two spots."
 
 
 
 
Erickson picked up All-MIAC recognition in the 800-meter run, posting a new personal best time of 2:13.13. The top six finishers all established new PRs.
 
Larsen was the runner up in the 5000-meter run, clocking a new PR of 17:23.16. Maggie Votruba clocked a time of 19:59.89 to placed 30th.
 
"Aliya Larsen again demonstrated how well she can execute on the track," Ricks said. "Her instincts took over as she responded to the competitors in her race, responded well to their moves, and raced with confidence."
 
The conference meet wrapped up with the 4x400-meter relay, and the Knights added a team point with their eighth-place result. Alice Islam, Erickson, Stephanie Baranov, and Charlotte Kusch combined on a season-best time of 4:10.26.
 
"Lara Erickson stepped on the track four times for her team, as she ran the prelims and finals of the 800 meters, anchored the 4x800 and ran a great split on the 4x400 meters. Her efforts over the past two days — assisting her team by scoring in all three events —speak volumes to her commitment to the team," said Ricks.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton might utilize a last chance meet next week to permit select Knights one final opportunity improve their national ranking ahead of selections to the NCAA Outdoor Championships to be held May 22-24 Geneva, Ohio.
 
All-MIAC performances for Carleton (1st-3rd place…through Day 2)
1500-meter run
2. Sophie McManus — 4:44.11
 
4x800-meter relay
3. Carleton (Charlotte Kusch, Nora Daley, Libby Rowland, Lara Erickson) — 9:30.57
 
3000-meter steeplechase
1. Sophie McManus — 10:45.19 (season best)
2. Nora Daley — 11:07.39 (personal best)
 
800-meter run
3. Lara Erickson — 2:13.13 (personal best)
 
5000-meter run
2. Aliya Larsen — 17:23.16 (personal best)
 
All-MIAC honorable mention performances for Carleton (4th-6th place…through Day 2)
3000-meter steeplechase
5. Libby Rowland — 11:21.67