NDSU women try to repeat
The women’s track and field team has big shoes to fill this year.
Last season ended with the team winning the Division I Independent Tournament. With the majority of the team returning and young talent coming into the program, the team has high hopes for this season as well.
“Last year’s win obviously gave us a lot of confidence. We were a little bit unknown, we were very young, and we didn’t know what to expect,” coach Ryun Godfrey said. “Now we are the team that everyone wants to beat.”
The goals are high for the Bison this year. Many personal goals are set, but the team has said they want another Division I Independent Championship.
“I just want to work harder than I have ever worked, and I think that is a consistent goal for many of my teammates,” senior Cody Halsey said.
Halsey is one of two seniors on the team and is coming off an injury-ridden season in 2006.
She returned to the team after an offseason surgery and set a personal record in the 800-meter over the weekend at the University of Minnesota’s Jack Johnson Classic.
“Right now I feel like I’m in the best shape I have ever been, which is surprising after just having surgery. But I am just trying to work hard,” Halsey said.
Halsey’s attitude not only speaks for herself, but hopefully for the whole team as Godfrey them for the season.
“Now I’m not afraid to expect more because they have been through it,” Godfrey said. “Now it’s time to show what they are capable of at this year’s Division I Independent championships and start to think about and prepare ourselves for the Mid-Con championships the year after.” Sprints
Laura Hermanson, a sophomore, had an outstanding freshman season, with times in the 400 and 800-meter races that are nearing school records.
Heather Zander placed in five different events in last years Independent Championships.
McKenzie Mehlisch competes in the short sprint relays and multi-events. Last weekend she matched an 11-year-old school record in the 60-meter hurdles.
Distance
Anne Zmyslinski finished in 3rd place in the 400 meter in the D1 Independent Tournament, and also runs the 800 meter
Cody Halsey runs the 800 and 1500 meter, and has set a personal record already this year. Nora Narloch will be a spark for the Bison in the 800-meter races. Narloch won the event at the Independent Championships last year.
Jumps
Julie Strenkowski holds the school record for the pole vault and looks to add to it this year.
Halley Odegaard and Dee Rae Honl have both cracked the schools top ten in the high jump.
Mehlisch, Odegaard, Zander and Brittni Bruenjes will all compete in the long jump, while only Mehlisch and Bruenjes will do the triple jump.
Throwers
The threesome of throwers Amanda Benz, Kalie Seltvedt and Barbora Ungermannova all had a good freshmen year and look to improve with age.