RESULTS
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Royals competed on Saturday at the Holst Invite at Concordia St. Paul, which featured teams across Division I, II, and III. Sarah Stellmach led the way for Bethel running a personal best and MIAC leading time of 12.03 in the 100m dash to take 3rd place overall. Stellmach's time is currently ranked 14th in Division III and is the 2nd fastest time in program history. Teammate Jireh Babalola also ran a personal best in the 100m clocking in at 12.48, the 7th best time in program history.
Annessa Ihde was the top finisher for the Bethel distance crew as she took 2nd place in the 800m. Ihde ran a season best 2:16.78, which is the 3rd best in the MIAC this year and is 46th in Division III.
Erika Swanson took 3rd place in her signature event, the 3000m steeplechase. Swanson ran a season best 12:07.88 in very windy conditions, which is the 2nd best time in the MIAC this year.
Mikayla Turek ran an aggressive 400m hurdle race as she ran a season best 1:04.78. That time is currently ranked 28th in Division III and is the 2nd best time in the MIAC this season.
Britta Nordberg ran a terrific 400m dash with a season best time of 59.40 to take 6th place. Bethel now owns 4 of the top 5 times in the MIAC in that event.
Nordberg was a part of both of Bethel's relays on Saturday. The 4x100m team of Babalola, Hailey Gregg, Hannah King, and Nordberg took 3rd place with a season best 50.21. In the 4x400m relay, Turek, Nordberg, Kelsie Sealock, and Ihde took 2nd place with a MIAC leading time of 3:59.65. That time is the 16th best in Division III so far this season.
In the field events, Jessica Lilland set a season best in the pole vault by clearing 3.50m / 11'5.75", just 1.25" under her own school record. Grace Perrenoud took 5th place in the triple jump with a leap of 10.96m/ 35'11.5". That mark is currently ranked 44th in Division III. Abbie Swenson made her debut in the javelin and took 7th with a throw of 28.57m / 93'9". Emma Roethler took 7th in the shot put with her toss of 12.27m / 40'3.25".
Bethel will split their squad next week as several Royals qualified for the prestigious Drake Relays in Des Moines on Friday and Saturday. The majority of the team will compete at the Drake Alternative Meet at Gustavus on Saturday, April 30th.
