CSB and SJU runners, jumpers and throwers compete at Gopher Classic

The CSB and SJU track and field teams finished up a meet at the University of Minnesota this past weekend., but for these teams it is just the beginning of a long season. In the meet this weekend, SJU’s team had 20 top-eight finishes.

“I don’t look at stuff like that,” SJU head coach Jeremy Karger-Gatzow said. “It is an early season meet, and it was good for picking out things we need to work on.”

The Johnnies weren’t the only ones who exceeded expectations this past weekend. The Bennies also put on an impressive performance, including junior Fiona Smith, who broke the school record for the mile.

“We were happy with how the meet went,” CSB head coach Robin Balder-Lanoue said. “So many of our athletes finished above what they were seeded in the meet.”

Smith clocked in a 4:52.88 mile to break her own previous record. Because the meet was hosted by the University of Minnesota, the atmosphere was much bigger than usual. For Smith, though, this made her feel more comfortable.

“The U of M field house is a bigger area than ours and a lot of others in the MIAC, so there were a lot of spectators there to fill it up and make lots of noise,” Smith said. “I love it to be loud during my races, and this past weekend, it definitely was with spectators, my own teammates and other teams.”

Despite an exciting start to the season, there are many meets left that will determine the outcome of the season as a whole. Keeping in touch with all the athletes is vital to getting through the season strong.

“We definitely have a good group of upperclassmen that help,” Karger-Gatzow said, who is in his eighth season as head coach. “Our assistant coaches are [also] really good at connecting with the athletes in their event.”

Balder-Lanoue, who is in her twenty-sixth season at CSB, agrees about the importance of good leadership.

“Our captains come from different event groups,” Balder-Lanoue said. “Your leaders help bring the team together, and that’s an important thing.”

One of the leaders on the SJU team is fifth-year thrower Eli Mollet. Despite considering himself “just another one of the guys,” Mollet’s experience and age put him into a leadership role. For Mollet, being able to compete one more time after a COVID-riddled season and a season-ending injury was something he could not pass up.

“I love the team and coaches like family,” Mollet said, who graduated in May of 2022. “The chance to spend another season as a part of the team was something I knew I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.”

As for the Bennie and Johnnie track teams, the focus is on maintaining a consistent work ethic and improving on the little things. The focus isn’t on times and marks quite yet.

“I look at it as one big season that we are training for,” Karger-Gatzow said. “It is one long progression of a season.”

Looking forward, the Bennies and Johnnies host an indoor track meet this Saturday at the Donald McNeely Spectrum. This is the second-to-last meet before the MIAC Indoor Championships from Feb. 23-25. Balder-Lanoue knows that if they get their technique and training habits down, great performances will come from it.

“Goals are always to continue to improve and get better each week,” Balder-Lanoue said. “If everyone continues to do that, we become the strong team that we know we are.”

The Johnnies have the same mindset as well.

“We do not get caught up a whole lot in times or distances or team performance,” Karger-Gatzow said. “If we can accomplish those basic goals in practice, we’ll do well.”