Bison Women Dominate Jumps at Dakota Alumni Classic

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women’s track & field team swept the titles in the jumps and posted several historically significant performances on Friday at the Dakota Alumni Classic in Fargo.
 
Sophomore Ella Gardner won the long jump with a new personal-best and meet record of 20-01.75 (6.14m). She ranks third in NDSU indoor history, and among the Top 10 in the nation early this season.
 
Jacee Johannsen won the pole vault, clearing a career-best 13-03.50 (4.05m) to tie for fourth on the NDSU all-time indoor list. NDSU women took the top four places with Julia Gherardi, Allison Otto-Fitzsimons, and unattached Casidi Pehler behind Johannsen.
 
Freshman Nyariek Kur won the triple jump with a meet-record mark of 40-06.25 (12.35m). After just one collegiate meet, she ranks eighth in NDSU indoor history. The Bison women swept the top five places in the triple jump, with Gardner posting another personal-best of 39-11.25 (12.17m) for second place.
 
Bison sophomore Arienne Birch won the high jump, clearing 5-07.75 (1.72m).
 
Sydney Arndt won the 60m hurdles, clocking 8.51 in the prelims and 8.54 in the final. Marvelous Onwualo took second in 8.58, and freshman Laney Songster was fifth in 8.81.
 
Adison Kapitzke threw a personal-best 48-01.75 (14.67m) to win the shot put. Senior Merrideth Spiers was the runner-up in the weight throw with a mark of 64-02.50 (19.57m), which ranks her Top 15 in the NCAA early this season.
 
Freshman Elise Wisnewski ran 7.63 in the 60m dash to place fourth in the meet, tying her for No. 7 on the NDSU all-time list. Freshman Riika Tirkkonen clocked 7.69 for sixth place.
 
Bison freshman Carsyn Brady won the 800m in 2:18.31. Sophomore Reese Rogowski took third in the 400m in 57.98.
 
Freshman Ciara Frank scored 3,335 points (unattached) in her first collegiate pentathlon, taking eighth place.