Ellingson sets school record, Simpson takes third at Grinnell

GRINNELL - Catie Ellingson set a school record in the 800-meter run and Simpson placed third at Grinnell's Darren Young Classic on Saturday.

Ellingson bettered her own school record set last year (2:14.83), winning the 800 meters in a time of 2:14.50. Her time is the 12th-fastest in the nation and provisionally qualifies for the NCAA Championship.

Lauren Anderson added a second-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles, running an 8.68 in the final after winning her heat with an 8.69. Anderson also helped the Storm take second in the 4x200 and 4x400-meter relays.

The team of Anderson, Molly Sabers, Nicole Mulder and Jordan Maher finished second in the 4x200 (1:48.62) while Anderson, Mulder, Ellingson and April Sigmund did the same in the 4x400 (4:09.06).

Kinsey Bak placed second in the high jump (5-4 1/4), third in the pentathlon (2,974) and fifth in the 55-meter hurdles (9.31).

Maddy McAreavy took fifth in the 5,000 meters (21:18.41), Anderson took fifth in the pole vault (8-6 1/4) and Jade Osborne took sixth in the 3,000 meters (11:13.59).

Simpson returns to action Friday when it travels to the UNI Dome Open in Cedar Falls.