RESULTS

GRINNELL, Iowa-Running on the track that will host the national meet in four weeks, senior Mollie Gillberg made a strong push toward returning for that competition, crossing the line second in the 5,000-meter run in 17:25.58. That time, a massive personal best, currently ranks her ninth in the nation and first in the MIAC.

Gillberg's performance highlighted a slew of personal best marks for the Royals. Sophomore Erin Alpers took a commanding lead in the first lap of the 800 meters and never let up, dominating the field to win in a time of 2:17.03, a four-second personal best and the second-fastest time in the MIAC.

Making her season debut, sophomore Annika Halverson ran a personal best 10:35.01 to win the 3,000-meter run. Gillberg finished second in that race, running 10:35.84.

Hanna Frekot continued her strong season in the long jump. The freshman added over five inches to her personal best, leaping 17'5.5" (5.37 meters) to top the field.

Junior Jillian Krier posted a season's best 8.06 in the 60-meter dash prelims, before coming back with an 8.07 to finish second in finals.

Two more juniors recorded third-place finishes-Natalie Kessler ran a personal best 19:09.47 to finish third in the 5,000 meters and Nicole Balzer placed third in the 800 meters, running 2:23.80.

The Royals will split their squad next Saturday, Feb. 20, for Parents Day at the University of Minnesota and the Tostrud Open at St. Olaf.