Storm track teams compete at Fighting Scott Invitational

MONMOUTH, Ill. – The Simpson indoor track and field teams took part in the Fighting Scott Indoor Invitational in Monmouth, Ill. Saturday.

"I was very pleased with overall performance," head coach Dave Cleveland said. "It was nice we were able to perform well in a variety of different events. We want to continue to improve every week and continue taking steps forward."

On the women's side, Simpson had a solid showing in the middle-distance events for the second week in a row. The Storm went one-two in the 800 meters, with Catie Ellingson taking first (2:18.36) and Sarah Hammel coming in second (2:19.49). Ellingson also won the mile (5:04.92), reaching and NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the process.

Jess Christensen turned in a strong showing in the 5,000 meters, competing in the event for the first time this season. She placed second (18:27.84), turning in the second-fastest time in program history.

Simpson also dominated the 55-meter hurdles. Led by Lauren Bucklin, Storm hurdlers took the top four positions in the finals. Bucklin won the event (8.56) after turning in her third-straight provisional qualifying mark in the prelims (8.45). She was followed by Molly Sabers in second (8.75), Lauren Anderson in third (8.89) and Kinsey Bak in fourth (8.93).

Bak added a second-place performance in the high jump with a leap of 5-3 3/4 and a third-place finish in the long jump (16- 0 1/4). Kellie Whitney came in behind Bak in the long jump in fourth place (15-11 1/2).

"Kinsey and Kellie did very well for us in the jumps today," Cleveland said. "Kellie is starting to get back into full form after recovering from knee surgery a year ago."

Simpson also fared well in the relays, with the team of Hammel, Bucklin, Sabers and Ellingson winning the 4x400 meters (4:04.36) and Bucklin, Alyssa Hedrick, Anderson and Sabers taking second in the 4x200 (1:47.84).

Returning to the team after spending a year studying abroad, Stacey Bonertz took fourth-place in the shot put (38-8 1/2), returning to old form.

On the men's side, Simpson found itself up against some of the nation's top teams, as four of the nine teams at the meet were ranked in the top 20 of last week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) power rankings.

Marty Rounds turned in the Storm's best performance in a sprint event, taking seventh in the 200-meter dash (22.94).

Simpson found more success in the distance events, led by Casey Dunning's third-place showing in the 5,000-meter run (16:08.09). Matt Stone added a fourth-place finish in the 800 meters (1:57.77), a personal record for him while beating last year's Iowa Conference outdoor champion, Alex Miller of Central (1:58.49).

In the field events, Wardell Watkins registered a strong showing in the long jump, placing second after a season-best leap of 22-6 1/4. In the throws, JohnWardenburg placed fifth in the shot put (48-5 1/2).

Simpson's 4x200 meter relay of Kyle Yarkosky, Legrand Bien-Aime, Brandon Christensen and Rounds took second (1:32.14).

"Both of our relays had their best times of the year," Cleveland said. "Wardell also had a good day, jumping as far as he has in a few years."

Simpson returns to action Feb. 19 when it takes part in the UNI Dome open in Cedar Falls.