ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bethel women's track and field team took 2nd place as they opened their season at the Vanessa Seljeskog Classic on Saturday. The Royals won 3 events and scored 190 team points. Gustavus won the meet with 209.5 points and Hamline took 3rd place with 109.5 points.
 
Kelsie Sealock led the Royals to a strong start as the 8 time All-American won the 60m hurdles in a time of 8.83 seconds. That is the fastest season opener of her career and currently ranks 7th in Division III.
 
AnnaGrace Nelson had a terrific start to her senior season by winning the triple jump and taking 2nd in the hurdles - both in personal best marks. Her leap of 11.36m / 37'3.25" is the 19th best jump in Division III this year. Her time of 9.29 in the 60m hurdles gives the Royals the top 3 times in the MIAC this year in that event.
 
Sealock, Reanna Cruz, Hailey Gregg, and Annessa Ihde won the 4x400m relay to close out the meet. Their time of 4:03.28 is the top time in the MIAC and ranks 13th in Division III.
 
The Royals picked up several 2nd and 3rd place finishes throughout the day. Sarah Stellmach took 2nd in the 60m dash in 7.88 and Jireh Babalola was 3rd in 7.95.
 
Abbie Swenson took 2nd with an indoor personal best in the 200m of 27.11, while Hailey Gregg took 3rd in 27.33.
 
Annessa Ihde was 2nd in the 600m in a time of 1:38.44, while freshmen Shalom Sulungaine (1:40.86) and Reanna Cruz (1:41.01) worked together to take 3rd and 4th, respectively.
 
The freshmen pole vault duo of Raina Kaping and Emily Pearson helped the Royals in the field events. Kaping was 2nd and Pearson 3rd as they both cleared 3.05m / 10"0".
 
Nora Wilheim took 2nd place in the shot put with her toss of 12.00m / 39'4.5". Hannah Moe was 2nd in the high jump with her clearance of 1.43m / 4'8.25". Anna Cargill gave Bethel a 3rd place finish in the mile with her time of 5:35.28.
 
The Royals will get a chance to compete in the MIAC Championship venue next week, as they travel to St. Olaf College on Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27.