LINCOLN, Neb. – Three Top 5 finishes highlighted a strong day for the College of Saint Mary track & field team.

The Flames competed in the Prairie Wolf Invitational – which featured Division 1, 2, 3 and NAIA teams.

CSM's best finish came from Madalynn Rhodes who won the javelin with a toss of 38.62m. That mark is just shy of the national qualifying mark of 39.00m. 

Claire Caspersen finished fourth in the shot put, but was second amongst NAIA competitors. Her mark of 13.55m was good enough to get the "A" Standard for the national meet. 

Chantaya Griffin finished fourth in the 800, which was the top NAIA finish in the race.

"Claire, Madalynn, and Chantaya have been leading the way for us all spring and that trend continued as all three were very sharp with their performances today," CSM Coach Jerrid Johansen said. "Claire continues to dial things in as she moves towards the conference and national meets and she was definitely interested in performing well today.

"Madalynn has been really close to that qualifying mark in the javelin three times this season and she was right there again today. This was her best series of six throws – which is a great sign heading into the conference meet. Chantaya is just a competitor and she wasn't scared to take the race out against a couple of athletes from D1 and D2 schools today, even in the windy conditions."

Johansen said other highlights included Brooke Wigdahl's seventh-place performance in the 1,500 in 5:14.55 and Tavia Williams' performances in both the shot put and discus. Williams had a 34.47 in the discus and 11.25 in the shot.

"Brooke stepped down today and raced in the 1,500 rather than her usual 3,000 Steeplechase," Johansen said. "She ran really well. She won her heat in 5:14.55, which is the second-fastest time in program history. Tavia threw lifetime bests in both the discus and shot put this weekend, and because of it, she's going to have a good opportunity to compete in at least one of those events at the conference meet next weekend.

"Brooke and Tavia love their events and they love to challenge themselves in practice every day. If you watch them practice and watch them compete, it's clear that it means something to them and they always want to do their best. It's great to see their efforts rewarded with potential qualifications to the conference meet."

In other field events, Caspersen was 15^th in the discus with 34.48; Georgia Carroll placed 21^st in the discus with 29.73 and 25^th in the shot put with 10.05 and Evelyn Carreto was 22^nd in the discus with 27.93 and 26^th in the shot put with 9.50.

In other track events, Dazjae Grayson placed 16^th in the 100 in 13.29; Autumn Simons was 18^th in the 800 in 2:35.18; Abby Ridout finished 22^nd in the 800 in 2:43.18; Corinne Mead took ninth in the 1,500 in 5:17.33; Madeline Krause was 18^th in the 1,500 in 5:25.41; Lorena Ramirez placed 22^nd in the 1,500 in 5:29.63; Kiley Craft took 26^th in the 1,500 in 5:33.40 and Alivia Austin stopped the clock in 5:58.61 in the 1,500 for 34^th place.

CSM's lone relay of Griffin, Simons, Mead and Ridout placed fifth in the 4x400 in 4:26.76.

"Today was a good day for our athletes, and we are moving in the right direction heading into the conference meet," Johansen said. "We will find out who qualifies on Tuesday and we hope to have a strong contingent heading to Dordt next weekend."