Smith and Beckmann have record-setting day

Senior Maggie Beckmann and junior Fiona Smith had record-setting nights to lead the CSB track and field team at the St. Thomas Tomcat Invitational on April 7.

Beckmann finished third in the hammer throw and registered the third-best hammer throw in the MIAC this season. The throw, which was marked at 47.15 meters (154’ 8”), broke the 23-year-old school record, which was held by Missy Smoot’s throw of 45.72 meters (150’). Smith continued her successful junior season by winning the 1,500-meter title with a time of 4:31.94. The time is the second fastest in CSB history behind only Smith herself, who completed the 1,500 in 4:29.11 last season. The time currently ranks fifth in Division III this season. Smith also finished fifth in the 800 with a time of 2:19.14, ranked 10th-best in program history.

“I have been fortunate to stay healthy this season,” Smith said. “I think the things I do both in and out of practice make that possible. At the beginning of each season, I make goals for the season. My goals for this outdoor season, primarily time goals in the 5k and 10k, are pretty big, but I think keeping those in mind throughout the season is what makes me willing to keep putting in the work necessary to get there and trusting that my training will pay off in the end.”

First-year Lauren Berg added a pair of top-10 finishes as she recorded the ninth-fastest time in program history in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:05.61, good for fourth place. Berg also placed ninth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.82. Senior Caitlin Salfer added another top-10 finish with a 3.07 meter (10’ 0.75”) mark in the pole vault, good for seventh place.

“We have a lot of really talented athletes this year,” Beckmann said. “This has been one of the most talented teams that I’ve been on in my five years. I’m really excited to see what we do this season.”

The No. 16 ranked Bennies took home five individual titles and 17 top-five finishes to win the Norse Invite hosted by Luther College this past Saturday. CSB, who finished with 148.4 points, finished just ahead of Division ll Southwest Minnesota State (143.5 points) and Viterbo (131.7 points).

“The team does an incredible job supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes,” head coach Robin Balder-Lanoue said. “I think it just energizes the team when people see someone get in the top 10. It creates this amazing synergy, and that’s something our team has right now. They really play off and support each other’s successes.”

Berg continued her strong season as she took home titles in both the 400 hurdles (1:06.07) and the 100 hurdles (15.76). Berg also anchored the 4×400 relay with teammates sophomore Emerson Knapp and juniors Mirijana Ganley and Sidela Nyuga. Sophomore Justus Floren set a meet record and the sixth-best javelin throw in program history with a throw of 36.71 meters (120’ 5”) while also placing third in the 100 hurdles (15.96). Junior Keiley Maahs took home the 3,000-meter steeple chase title with a meet record time of 11:51.76 while junior Bridget Tetmeyer and first-year Mary Kenney came in second and third with times of 11:55.27 and 12:12.73, respectively.

Beckmann just missed matching her hammer throw mark set in the Tomcat Invite as she placed second with a throw of 46.47 meters (152’ 5”). Beckmann also added a fourth-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 10.96 meters (35’ 11.5”). Junior Kate Gallagher added a third-place finish in the 100-meter sprint (13.10). Gallagher also anchored the 4×100 relay with first-years Myah Nelson and Madison Josephson and senior Hailey Johnson, which came in second. Junior Ella Young added a second-place finish in the 800 with a time of 2:21.93.

“Ultimately, I am here because of and for my team,” Smith said. “So having a high team ranking in the nation right now shows that there is so much talent on this team and so much potential. Nothing is better than sharing success, so I’m so glad I’ve been able to and will continue to share the success on the track with my teammates.”

The CSB track and field team has yet to capture an indoor or outdoor MIAC conference title. This year’s team, which was ranked No. 16 in Tuesday’s US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s top 25 poll, is trying to bring the first title home.

“It will take a lot of us performing at our prime to take home that conference meet win,” Beckmann said. “It would mean a lot because we’ve never won that meet. It would really show how much talent is on this team right now.”

Balder-Lanoue echoed a similar sentiment.

“Our conference is loaded,” Balder-Lanoue said. “We have so much respect for the teams in our conference, but at the same time, we want to be the best we can be, and I think if we perform the way we could, we can make a run for it.”