Track teams win multiple titles at Gopher Classic

Last weekend, the Bennies competed in the Gopher Classic hosted by the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. CSB competed against the likes of Bethany Lutheran, Gustavus Adolphus, University of Wisconsin-Stout and St. Olaf.

At this meet, CSB senior Fiona Smith claimed two titles in the 800-meter and 800-mile run. In the 800-meter, she clocked a time of 2:20.29 to finish in the lead of the top six competitors in the field.

CSB senior Kate Gallagher finished with a time of 7.98 second time in the 60-meter dash to place fourth in her group. In December, she claimed the Bennie school record of 7.92 once again at the University of Minnesota-Cities earlier this season.

“We are very excited about leadership, driven teammates and competing at home,” head coach Robin Balder-Lanoue said. “Our seniors have led by example.”

The 12 seniors on the team include Gallagher, Smith, Lucy Lyngen, Mirijana Ganley, Claire Hippen, Tiana Johnson, Haley Joos, Annie Kiolbasa, Keiley Mahs, Erin Martin, Ellie Selisker, Bridget Tetmeyer and Ella Young.

“The Gopher Classic is one of my favorite meets we go to each year. The venue, the competition and the environment turn out some of the best performances each season. Personally, I felt that my best performances last week left me feeling very hopeful about the next few weeks leading into the MIAC championship,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher will remember the joy of training with the team after graduating from CSB.

“Training almost year-round is not always easy, but this team comes to practice with infectious energy every day. This team is definitely full of life-long friendships for me,” Gallagher said.

Balder-Lanoue, who will begin her 26th season coaching the Bennies this year, recapped the Gopher Classic by saying how the Bennies are privileged to compete against some of the best Division I and Division II runners in the country.

“We get to compete against many divisions (DII and DI athletes), we had a lot of personal bests last weekend and I was proud of how we competed,” Balder-Lanoue said.

Smith is an All-American athlete who was recently recognized as the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Athlete of the Year for track and field.

After graduation, Smith will be using her extra year of NCAA eligibility at Division I North Carolina State University. While excited for the future, she is focused on the present, as Smith is currently ranked first at the Division III level in the 5k and third in the mile. She has been happy with how the season has gone, even if it is only the beginning of February.

“It has been great to develop team chemistry more during team training camps and throughout competition. Competing on Saturday was my first time in the new year. It was great to the meet as a whole team. It is weird to have a short indoor season—we already have conference in about two and a half weeks,” Smith said.

Gallagher is currently ranked fifth in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and in the 60-meter draft.

A season ago, she was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in both track and field and cross country. Gallagher also earned All-MIAC honors where she competed in seven meets and recorded 11 top-eight finishes.

“I knew Kate (Gallagher) in middle school—we were best friends in sixth through eighth grade. We reconnected at CSB and have been roommates throughout the past two years,” Smith said.

“Not only are we good friends as teammates, but we have made a connection outside of the sport as well. . . It is always fun to hear about each other’s training every day and check in with each other,” Smith said.

Gallagher said she and Smith have become close friends because of track.

“Fiona prides herself for being a servant leader to our team and captains. Her humility to help the team is always present,” Gallagher said.

CSB junior Justus Floren is a multidimensional competitor who is also a high jumper. As a first-year, she received the CSB Rookie of the Year award. Last season, she was named as one of the CSB Athletes of the Week. Floren competed in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships where she took 17th place and recorded a time of 2:37.85 in the 800-meter and competed in the pentathlon.

Smith added that it was great to see Floren qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships.

“Last season, Justus qualified for the indoor last chance meet. Less than seven days out, she had qualified for nationals. To see her handle the situation with pressure was very indicative of her personality. She handled the pressure with grace. I am excited to see her qualify again this year, possibly as an outdoor competitor,” Smith said.

Floren said she is also very pleased with the start of the 2024 season.

“Our captains and upperclassman have welcomed me. They were always super welcoming. I choose CSB because I got to meet two of the captains, Ellie Selister and Aidan McCloone (‘23). I love the energy they brought. Whenever I meet with a recruit, I always make sure that they feel included,” Floren said.

As Gallagher and Smith both look at the next steps after graduation, Floren is looking for athletes to step up after the Bennies lose a large group of seniors this spring.

“It means a lot because I know it is their last year, so I want to support them and be there for them as I watch the seniors finish out collegiate competition,” Floren said.

The team has been very honored to compete at CSB+SJU and will look towards the next steps following graduation.

The team will compete in the CSB+SJU quad on Saturday in Collegeville. The Bennies will cap off the season at Tostrud Classic, which is hosted by St. Olaf in Northfield, Minn.