Women’s Track & Field: Trio of School Records Fall as Macalester Competes at Parents Day Open

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Macalester College women's track and field team competed today at the University of Minnesota Parents Day Open. The high powered meet featured athletes from all three NCAA divisions, and with robust competition across the board many members of the team set down seasonal best marks in hopes of qualifying for the MIAC indoor meet.

The highlight of day was the rewriting of three school records. First, senior Kara Komoto (Rice Lake, Wis./Rice Lake) ran 8.02 seconds in the 60 meter dash prelims to break the school record of 8.03, set by Hannah Pollard-Garber '16 in 2014. Komoto eventually placed sixth overall in the finals. Junior Hannah Sonsalla (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) ran 58.66 to take third overall in the 400 meter dash, a significant improvement over the previous school record of 59.13, set by All-American Holly Harris '00 in 1999. Sonsalla also placed third in the 200 in 26.13 seconds. In the pole vault, senior Anik Regan (Tucson, Ariz./University) reset her own school record of 9-8 by clearing 10-02.50 (3.11 meters) to place sixth overall. Regan is the first woman at Macalester to vault over 10 feet.

The lone event winner for the Scots was senior Kimber Meyer (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) in the 3000 meter run. Her time of 10:10.10 improves on her No. 2 ranking in the conference.

Senior Natalie Prescott (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) took fourth in the 1000 meter run in a time of 3:10.13. She was closely followed up sophomore teammate Elena Smith (Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire Memorial) who crossed seventh in 3:11.41. Sophomore Holly Ellingson (Boise, Idaho/Mountain View) notched a top 10 finish in the 800 turning in a season best of 2:26.99.

In the 60 meter hurdles, senior Brooke Hunter (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) took sixth overall with a time of 9.45 seconds. Senior Lynn Zemaitis (Gurnee, Ill./Carmel) earned 10th place in the weight throw with a toss of 12.12 meters (39-09.25).

Next weekend the Scots will cap their indoor season at the MIAC championships hosted at St. Thomas. To qualify for the meet on February 24 and 25, athletes must hold a top-ranked performance in their event. Conference performance lists can be found at TFRRS.