Rhodes wins javelin as Flames set several records at Dutch Invite
PELLA, Iowa -- Madalynn Rhodes was among seven College of Saint Mary student-athletes to set PRs on Thursday as she won the javelin toss at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium for the Central College Dutch Invite.
The Flames met with ideal weather conditions at the meet, their first outdoor meet of the season following a month-long break in the schedule.
"Today was a good day for our program and there is a lot for our athletes to be excited about as they start the outdoor season. You never know how the athletes are going to respond after a long break but, for the most part, they were ready to compete," said coach Jerrid Johansen.
In addition to the individual records set, CSM program records were established in the 100m, 200m, javelin, hammer throw, triple jump, long jump, and pole vault.
The trio of Mira Fosmer (2:23.21), Corinne Mead (2:32.44), and Natalie Briggs (2:33.92) all set PRs in the 800m with Fosmer the top CSM finisher in the event placing fifth.
Lorena Ramirez ran the 5000m in 19:4196 to take fourth place and establish a personal best.
In her first meet of the year, Rhodes won the javelin with a school-record throw of 38.69 meters.
The Flames also received PRs from Allison Isaacson in the pole vault placing fifth with a school record vault of 3.10m. She also set a program record in the long jump with a leap of 4.89m.
Chainey Thompson set a PR as well as a program record in the triple jump, taking second with a jump of 10.41m.
CSM also received a top five finish from Brooke Wigdahl in the 3000m steeple as she placed third in the event with a time of 12:25.91, just missing out on a PR. Olivia Joyce placed fifth in the triple jump with a distance of 9.95m.
Also setting records for College of Saint Mary were Kellesse Heard in the 100m (13.11), Ava Hilger in the 200m (27.71), and Clare Ullery in the hammer throw (37.28m).
"Individually, it's great to see so many athletes performing at a high level this early in the season. From a program perspective, it was exciting to see so many athletes attempting new events and having success in those events. This was the first team we have ever had competitors in the hammer throw and pole vault, and once the meet got rolling, we had athletes competing all over the place. That seems like a small thing, but it's important as we try to build the program."
The Flames next compete at the Concordia University Outdoor Invite on Friday-Saturday, Apr. 5-6 of which coach Johansen said, "the outdoor season is a six-week spring, so after some much-needed recovery time, we will need to get back to work to be prepared for the Concordia Invite next weekend."