NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's track & field team finished in fourth place at the MIAC Indoor Championships. The Knights won two events on the final day of competition, as
Lauren Tittel captured the 1,000-meter title and
Hannah Preisser took first place in the 3000-meter run.
"We are a small team with big impact on the track, especially in the mid-distance and distance events," said Carleton head coach
Donna Ricks.
"Indoors is about gaining confidence in your race structure. It is much more tactical and crowded on a 200-meter track, especially with the qualifiers running very similar times. I was proud of how our athletes navigated their races."
Concordia-Moorhead captured its first team title since 1999 by totaling 144 points. St. Olaf (136) was second, with Bethel (123) claiming third place. Carleton edged Saint Benedict for fourth place (77 to 76.5). Macalester (69), Gustavus (55.5), Saint Mary's (52), Hamline (27), St. Scholastica (15), Augsburg (12), and St. Catherine (3) rounded out the team standings.
Terri Mensah was the lone Knight competing in the field on Saturday. She finished 13th in the long jump after soaring 5.05 meters.
"Terri has demonstrated consistency in her performances and a done an excellent job competing all season as she has earned personal bests in every meet," said Ricks.
Charlotte Kusch finished eighth in the 600-meter run, clocking a personal-best time of 1:38.44.
Pamina Nemet placed 13th at 1:41.74.
"
Charlotte Kusch and
Pamina Nemet have done an outstanding job working together in practices all season and are proving to be a dynamic duo," Ricks said.
Tittel picked up Carleton's first event victory of the day thanks to a strong finishing kick. She trailed St. Olaf's Isabel Wyatt by a couple of meters heading into the final lap but was able to catch and pass the the defending conference champion at the line to win by 0.01. Tittel posted a new PR of 2:57.67.
Nina Peterson took 10th place in the same event with a personal-best time of 3:04.53.
Carleton had four point scorers in the 3000-meter run.
Hannah Preisser pulled away on the final lap to win with a time of 10:06.23.
Claire Vukovics was third at 10:08.94 to earn All-MIAC status.
Amelia Campbell (10:22.19) and
Aliya Larsen (season-best 10:23.16) finished fifth and sixth, respectively, to collect All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Nicole Peterson (10:34.50) and
Loise Ruzanic (PR of 10:37.53) placed 11th and 12th, respectively, while
Sierra Cherniavsky finished 30th at 11:26.76.
"I was very happy to see
Hannah Preisser cap off her senior season winning the 3K," said Ricks. "
The meet concluded with the 4x400-meter relay.
Willa Bishop, Kusch, Nemet, and Tittel combined on a time of 4:13.43.
"
Willa Bishop has such a fun back story on how she joined the team," Ricks said. "Her positive work ethic and contributions are many, and she has been a valuable member of our relays this season."
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton may elect to have select student-athletes participate at a "last chance" meet next weekend to improve their positioning for a potential spot at the NCAA Championships in mid-March.
All-MIAC performances for Carleton (1st-3rd place…through Day 3)
Mile Run
2.
Lauren Tittel — 5:02.81
5000-Meter Run
2.
Hannah Preisser — 17:14.38
1000-Meter Run
1.
Lauren Tittel — 2:57.67
3000-Meter Run
1.
Hannah Preisser — 10:06.23
3.
Claire Vukovics — 10:08.94
All-MIAC Honorable Mention performances for Carleton (4th-6th place…through Day 3)
Mile Run
4.
Claire Vukovics —5:13.34
5.
Amelia Campbell — 5:13.37
800-Meter Run
4.
Pamina Nemet — 2:17.29
6.
Charlotte Kusch — 2:21.45
5000-Meter Run
4.
Aliya Larsen — 18:02.96
Distance Medley Relay
4. Carleton — 12:34.57.
